Highland Park Hosts Officials and Honorees for an Exceptional Veterans Day Ceremony
In 1945, just returning from the frontiers of World War II, a United States veteran by the name of Raymond Weeks decided to take up a calling to create a national holiday that would celebrate the efforts and sacrifices of every person who had ever committed themselves to military service for the sake of their fellow citizens. Carrying his plans directly to national military icon and soon-to-be 34th U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, Weeks suggested transforming what had long been known as Armistice Day, a celebration of the agreement that ended World War I, into a national holiday that would honor all veterans of military service and provide ceremonies in their honor. With support coming from every angle, Raymond Weeks’ plans for Veterans Day quickly made their way through the official processes of Congress to become the all-encompassing acknolwedgment of thanks and respect that we know today.
Presiding over the first official Veterans Day ceremony in 1954 (which he had already been doing unofficially for seven years prior) and continuing to serve in the capacity until his death in 1985, Raymond Weeks was ultimately honored by President Reagan with the Presidential Citizenship Medal, having seen the Veterans Day celebration for which he worked so hard finally become a familiar and essential part of America’s cultural history. This month, Highland Park proudly continues the legacy established by Mr. Weeks in the honor of so many who have given of themselves in service to their fellow citizens, and we hope you’ll be interested in lending a little support!
On Wednesday, November 11th, city officials will be hosting a Highland Park Veterans Day celebration and ceremony in the Highland Park Public Library Adult Services Room, located at 494 Laurel Avenue. Starting at 11:00 a.m., the wide-ranging event will welcome representatives from local groups including our American Legion Post #145, the Jewish War Veterans Post #29, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4737. Also in attendance will be a handful of state officials, and the event will feature speaking engagement from Senator Julie Morrison, Representative Scott Drury, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, and others as well.
High on the ceremonial priority list will be a special presentation of the contributions of local veteran Lloyd S. LeVine, who will be highlighted with an honorable recognition by the Heroes Among Us organization, a military and veterans advocacy group that works to support American service members past and present at both the individual and national levels. Ceremonies and celebration will also be graciously supported by the spirited Highland Park High School Brass Quartet, which is sure to round out a properly memorable evening in recognition of some of America’s finest. We here at Lexus of Highland Park are certainly proud to share the details, and wish the best to all of our veterans on their day to stand in honor and recognition!
