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Veteran's Day November 12, 2009
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'." In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Al King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into "All" Veterans Day. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11, 1953, to honor veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954
Civil Air Patrol Cadets bring the colors into the Payson High School Auditorium, Wednesday, Nov. 11 to start the Veteran's Day ceremonies in Payson.
Presenting the colors.
Another Mountain Meadows Memorial Lady. Members of this society attend veteran's funerals as a representative of families of veterans who are either unable to attend or because there are no other living relatives.
Mayor Kenny Evans was the first speaker.
John Carpino sang a popular song that is enshrined in the Library of Congress, written by a Korean War veteran, Frank Gross, called the "Ballad of the Chosin."
Val Sullivan a member of the Mountain Meadows Memorial Ladies attends the Veteran's Day Memorial Service.
John Siler spoke meaningfully using a speech by John Wayne.
Payson Police Chief Don Engler spoke of the numbers of men and women who have defended this country, in the past and currently on duty, stationed around the world, in defense of freedom of all mankind.
Children from the Payson Christian Community Theatre Group sang three patriotic songs and received loud applause from the attending veterans and their relatives.
"Uncle Sam", also known as Abigail Clark did several pantomime routines during the last song sung by the Payson Cummunity Children's Theatre Group.
One young, one older attend the Veteran's Day ceremonies at Payson High School auditorium. The young one is, Micah Clark and the older one is Greg Rose.
Rich Mack contemplates some of the numbers given for soldiers serving their country during Police Chief Don Engler's speech at the Veteran's Day Memorial Service, conducted at Payson High School auditorium.
An unnamed veteran salutes smartly as Carol Jones sings the National Anthem.
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