Woodland’s Veterans Day Ceremony

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, peace was declared between Germany and the Allied Forces, thus ending World War I. Today, most people know November 11 not as Armistice Day, as it was originally called, but Veterans Day. The city of Woodland commemorated this special holiday with a ceremony at the old courthouse, hosted by American Legion Post 77.

The ceremony began with an hour of patriotic music provided by the Yolo Community Band. The flags were presented by the American Legion Color Guard, and two veterans in attendance helped place a commemorative wreath on the Vietnam War memorial that stands in front of the courthouse. Later, a keynote speaker from Illinois gave a speech about his experiences as a member of the elite National Guard in Washington D.C. Post 77 members then performed a twenty-one gun salute, while Taps was played by a trumpeter from the band. The ceremony closed with a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

The ceremony was well attended; the audience consisted of a mix of veterans and their family members of all ages. Scouts from Woodland Boy Scout Troop 68 were also present to assist in set up and program distribution. Considering the impact that the pandemic has had on community events, this ceremony could not have had a better turn-out.