Veterans Day In New Berlin: How To Honor Military Personnel

NEW BERLIN, WI — The post office and most banks will be closed in New Berlin on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Local Veterans Day services are also planned for New Berlin. Here's what the city said:

"Mayor Dave Ament will conduct the City's Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday November 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at New Berlin City Hall, 3805 S Casper Drive," a news release said.

"The ceremony will include participation from the New Berlin Hoeppner Horn Bros. VFW Post 5716, the American Legion Post #488 and the New Berlin Community Band. U.S. Navy Veteran Mike Nowak will also be personally honored for his years of military and community service," the news release said.

"In addition, Dr. Arthur Angove will be presented with the 2021 Citizen of the Year Award. Furthermore, street light pole banners will be presented to the servicemen and/or their families who participated in our Celebrate Our Local Military Heroes initiative. Mayor Ament invites all residents to attend this ceremony to honor those who have served," the news release said.

Veterans Day, commemorated annually on Nov. 11, was first celebrated in 1919 to honor those who fought in World War I. It was initially called Armistice Day and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The holiday’s origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly following the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.

While some ceremonies, parades and services may be canceled or altered as the coronavirus pandemic continues, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active-military members.

Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Chili’s Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.

Other places, such as Golden Corral and Eat'n Park, have offers extended throughout November.

Veterans Day is somewhat related to, and sometimes mistaken for, Memorial Day, the federal holiday on the final Monday of May that is dedicated to those who have died while serving the United States.