Top and bottom right, The Warren County Civil Air Patrol presented and handled the American Flag during Friday’s Veterans Day gathering.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Great War came to a close.

What began as Armistice Day 104 years ago — the close to four years of bloodletting that saw around 10 million die — is what we now know as Veterans Day.

The weather may not have provided a pleasant backdrop, but many throughout the county attended various Veterans Day events at that hour, including one at Soldiers & Sailors Park in Warren.

Warren County Director of Veterans Affairs Delores Stec was the keynote speaker.

“Veterans are a diverse group,” she said, noting that they can be found in all economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Top and bottom right, The Warren County Civil Air Patrol presented and handled the American Flag during Friday’s Veterans Day gathering.

“Those men and women were ordinary people” until they answered the call to right “to protect our country and preserve our way of life.”

Stec highlighted the service of both peacetime and combat veterans, arguing that those serving in peace time protected what was fought for in combat.

“Without our veterans,” she said, there is “no land of the free” and that it is “impossible to put a price” on their service.

“In every generation, America’s veterans have been willing to give all for that which we hold sacred — freedom, justice, and democracy,” President Biden said in this year’s Veterans Day proclamation.

“They have served selflessly, sacrificed greatly, and shouldered the burden of freedom quietly, asking no glory for themselves,” he continued. “Today, let us honor them by living up to their example — putting service before self, caring for our neighbors, and working passionately to build a more perfect Union worthy of all those who protect our lives and liberty.”

Members of the Youngsville High School Marching Band performed during Friday’s event.

Local elected leaders also weighed in on social media on the significance of the day.

“Today we honor the brave men and women who answered the call to service,” Congressman Glenn Thompson said. “It is my privilege to represent the Veterans from” the 15th Congressional District.

“During this Veterans Day Weekend, I encourage everyone to thank our many honored local veterans for their service and also consider attending one of several remembrance events being held throughout Warren, Crawford and Forest counties,” State Representative Kathy Rapp added.

She highlighted a new law that designates June 12 as Women Veterans Day in the Commonwealth.

Also, the General Assembly recently adopted a new law, Act 129 of 2022, designating June 12 of each year as Women Veterans Day in the Commonwealth.

“Each and every day, we honor our veterans across the 21st Senatorial District for their dedication to our Commonwealth and this grateful Nation,” Senator Scott Hutchinson said. “Thank you, to all who have so dutifully served our armed forces.”