TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Boy Scout Troop 266 and Venture Crew will celebrate Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Trails End Cemetery in Tahoe City. Scouts and their families will place American flags on the grave sites of veterans. Scouts will lead a ceremony honoring military veterans. Proceedings will include inspirational readings, recognition of veterans in attendance, 21-gun salute and playing of “Taps.” The public is invited to attend and honor the brave men and women who have risked their lives for the United States of America. Trails End Cemetery is located on Fairway Drive behind Tahoe City Golf Course in Tahoe City.

In Truckee, a short memorial for veterans and their service to our country will be held at the downtown Train Depot, 10065 Donner Pass Road on Nov. 11, 11 a.m. You are encouraged to speak briefly in honor of our veterans.

The Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol periodically conducts a ceremony to retire American flags from local citizens. There will soon be a drum inside the Truckee Tahoe Airport administration building for depositing American flags. Flags may be dropped off at Donner Lake Realty, or call 1Lt. Charles White at 530-587-4811 for flag pick-up, or take your American flag to the Truckee Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m., Nov. 11.

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According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, in November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.

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Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, after several historic changes of the date. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. — Information from http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp.