By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

Thanksgiving came early for a brigade of veterans who got free breakfast, lunch and dinner at various restaurants Valleywide on Veterans Day.

Other treats throughout the day included free car washes and more granted to recognize all military veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces. Many restaurants and storefronts had lines of veterans waiting to be served for the time they served their country. There were lots of signs among displays and gracious staff thanking veterans for their service.

From morning to night on Nov. 11, the whole day served as a reunion of sorts for those who donned military uniforms past and present. Many veterans consisting of men and women of all colors felt seen for the day designated to honor them as many can relate to a time returning to a country after serving overseas and not being appreciated for their service and sacrifice.

Likewise, hundreds of veterans, families and friends gathered at The Grand’s Veterans Monument for a morning ceremony, led by the Armed Forces Support Group honoring the residents who served. Attendees were regaled with service songs from the U.S. military branches, food and live music. A Canyon Ridge Elementary School seventh-grader, Paisley Smith, read her winning essay for the second annual AFSG “What a Veteran Means To Me” contest.

A moment of silence was observed at 11:11 a.m. at The Grand, to commemorate the end of World War I at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month became known as “Armistice Day,” according to published reports, noting Nov. 11 is no longer called Armistice Day. The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all American veterans who served in any war or in peacetime, and not restricted to those who served in World War I.

The Veterans Day National Ceremony held each year on Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery commences at 11 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, which is intended to honor and thank all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces as noted on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at department.va.gov/veterans-day.

Just as people can give thanks all year and not just for Thanksgiving Day to remember the many blessings and privileges that have been received, recognizing and honoring veterans should be done throughout the year to give thanks for their willingness, according to details on the government site on the importance of Veterans Day, to demonstrate “patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Delarita Ford
Lead Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Meet Delarita
Delarita Ford originally joined Independent Newspapers Incorporated, now Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA in 1997, as a general assignment reporter for the Delaware State News daily paper after starting her journalism career in Maryland in 1994, where she honed her skills by writing obituaries, covering community news from births to deaths, education to legislation and more. As a reporter, she has had the opportunity to cover sitting and former U.S. presidential visits in Baltimore, Delaware, and Arizona.

Community: One of the few seasoned journalists who still enjoys covering community events, she can be found with a reporter’s pad taking notes, her phone taking pictures while capturing life’s moments to memorialize them in print for the local newspapers and for the active-adult community where she lives. She maintains a presence with the Black media and the National Association of Black Journalists to encourage peers, socialize, and mentor younger writers.

Education: Life learner who learns from life. Aside from the collegiate education received, she got the best training from on-the-job experience with former editors who went through copy with a red pen and demanded the best writing for hard news and feature stories. 

Random Fact: While a Delaware State News reporter, she could call then Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, usually late at night if a quote or input was needed for varying topics, including legislation and education.

Hobbies: Adopt rescue dogs and give them a nice home. Continuously read and critique news stories from various platforms.