Honoring Our Hometown Heroes This Veterans Day in Cookeville TN

Veterans Day originally began as a way to honor the soldiers of World War I. Although the war officially ended in June of 1919 (with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles) President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11th as Armistice Day. The reason? The fighting between the Allies and Germany had been temporarily suspended - by the "armistice" or "truce" - on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. "Armistice Day" became Veterans Day in 1954 as a way to honor all living American soldiers.

It's important to educate kids on the contribution made by our veterans. Here are some fun ways to do that:

* Have kids "interview" veterans in the Cookeville TN area (or relatives who served) about what it's like to serve in the U.S. military.
* Make a "thank you" card for veterans and deliver it to veterans they know or those listed through a Tennessee VA medical facility.
* Make a colorful poster with the names and pictures of relatives who are veterans.

Displaying the flag is another key part of marking Veteran's Day. Here are some basic guidelines:

* Display the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset (it may be displayed 24/7 if it's illuminated during darkness). The flag should not be flown during rain snow and wind storms unless it's an all-weather flag.
* The flag should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red white and blue bunting should be used for decoration - with the blue at the top and red at the bottom.
* When the flag is displayed other than from a staff it should be flat or suspended so that its folds fall free.
* Whenever the flag is displayed at half-staff it should be first raised to the top momentarily then lowered.