Gonzales, Nixon preps for Veterans Day

GONZALES COUNTY — Veterans Day is set to be commemorated across the county in the next few days. More organizations are taking note of the date this year since it is the 100th anniversary of the conclusion of World War I, for which the holiday is derived from.

Originally called Armistice Day, it is observed Nov. 11 and honors those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. It marks the day that formal hostilities ended against Germany, on the 11th day of the 11th hour of the 11th month of 1918.

The first celebration and remembrance is slated for Friday at Apache Field at 9:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by Gonzales ISD and is open to all community members. In the instance of rain, it will be moved to the high school gymnasium.

On Sunday, the Gonzales VFW Post #4817 will have a flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m. followed by a meal and turkey shoot. The meal is dine-in or to-go at the hall, featuring barbecue chicken and sausage and runs 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and is $9 per plate. Hamburgers will be grilled later in the day. The hall is located at 3302 Harwood Rd.

Later, a World War I Centennial Celebration will be held at the 400 block of Fair St. next to the vintage German cannon positioned there. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is sponsored by the Gonzales County Historical Commission, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Gonzales Noon Lions Club.

At the same time, several churches in town will participate in a bell ringing service. The “Bells of Peace” is a nationwide program that looks to signal the exact time the Armistice was signed. And for those that do not have a bell to ring, “Bells of Peace” is offering an app that can be downloaded onto your phone.

Down in Nixon, organizers of the “Field of Honor” have been planning an ambitious commemoration all week. Committee members have ordered 500 American flags that will be placed at 310 E. Central Ave. Each flag will be marked with the name of a service member. Prior to that, the flags will be paraded to the field in a Walk of Honor at 2 p.m. Friday. A patriotic opening ceremony happens Saturday at 10 a.m. featuring dignitaries and the Gonzales ROTC.

On Monday at 10 a.m. will be Nixon's official Veterans Day program at Mustang Stadium. The keynote will be from Brigadier Gen. Cheryn Fasano, Commander of the 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary.)