The Veterans Day Ceremony for 2022 was held at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the St. Tammany Justice Center in Covington on Friday, November 11, 2022. More than 100 people attended.
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Under blue skies the ceremony was held by Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16, with the cooperation and special attendance of several other veterans groups throughout the parish. Commander Joseph P. Untz II was the emcee, introducing a number of special guests.
Commander Joseph P. Untz II
Judge Raymond Childress of the 22nd Judicial District Court was guest speaker. He told about the special Veterans Court originated in the district and how it was helping veterans.
Judge Raymond Childress
Click on "Play Triangle" to hear about Veterans Court
Click on "Play Triangle" to hear about Veterans Court
The National Anthem was led, in sign language, by the American Heritage youth group
A number of special guests were recognized: District Attorney Warren Montgomery, Mayor Mark Johnson of Covington, Parish President Mike Cooper, Judge Raymond Childress and Major James Robinson
The Colors were advanced by the St. Tammany Parish Veterans Honor Guard
The Honor Guard also took part in the rifle salute and playing of taps.
Pam Herty of the Post 16 Auxiliary spoke briefly
After the program, all the veterans in the audience gathered at the front for a group photo.
Veterans group panorama video
The invocation and benediction were both presented by Richard Perl, and the POW/MIS Chair presentation was performed by Dennis W. Charlesworth, who also introduced the special guests for the occasion.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Patriots Pride Youth Group
The Pierre de Mandeville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution led in the singing of "God Bless America."
The DAR group also had a table where gifts were given out to visiting Veterans
The St. Tammany Coroner's Office had an exhibit displaying drug use precautions. Coroner Charles A. Preston, M.D. at right and Dr. Robert J. Sigillito, MD deputy chief coroner , at left.
The Covington Fire Department brought in its ladder truck to fly the flag.
To see a video of the entire program, CLICK HERE.
Veterans Day History
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, designated by the federal government to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. It was set on November 11, in recognition of the end of World War I.
Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.
For many years, a major event of every Armistice Day program was a minute of silence in recognition of that moment of time, 11 minutes past 11 a.m. on November 11, when World War I came to a close.
Armistice Day Changed to Honor All Veterans
The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized "National Veterans Day," which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then appointed Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.
The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized "National Veterans Day," which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then appointed Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.
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