Honoring Veterans Safely from Home

COVID-19 is changing how Americans salute Veterans Day this year. Many will honor military men and women safely from home through virtual activities and events. Others will be practicing coronavirus prevention protocols on-site at ceremonies dedicated to honoring the war veterans who have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Maj. James Strong of the Fox Valley Veterans Council (FVVC), a Be Safe Wisconsin partner, believes it is important during the pandemic to remember the country’s veterans. “We live each day with the memories and circumstances of our service,” he says. “It is very much appreciated by many of us when a member of the public thanks us for that service.”

Maj. Strong suggests one way to safely remember veterans is by observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on November 11.

The FVVC has organized a Veterans Day ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Appleton where all necessary precautions such as temperature checks and physical distancing will be taken by staff. The public is encouraged to watch the program on WFRV-TV/Channel 5, which will be live-streaming the event, starting at 11:00 a.m.

Maj. Strong notes the Fox Valley Veterans Council continues to provide support of basic needs for all area veterans affected by COVID-19. Many veterans are anxious over contracting COVID-19.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it has administered more than 700,000 COVID-19 tests nationwide. Also affecting veterans is the stress of living under pandemic restrictions and the resulting isolation. It can have a huge impact on a veteran already dealing with PTSD, anxiety or thoughts of suicide.

“I would urge everyone who is a friend or neighbor of a veteran dealing with these issues to offer appropriate support and encouragement,” Maj. Strong says. And, if able, he advises Wisconsinites to give to the Veterans Emergency Fund, which gives Wisconsin veterans a financial helping hand during these tough, uncertain times. The fund mainly benefits veterans and immediate family members impacted by job loss, medical emergencies and housing needs.

Maj. Strong asks anyone knowing of a veteran in need to contact the FVVC, either through its website at www.foxvalleyveterans.org or by calling (920) 358-0662, and to honor those who have served in some way on November 11.

Outagamie County Veterans Day Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:           Monday, November 02, 2020

Media Contact:                               Eric Stadler – 920.450.6907 or estadler@trustwf.com

APPLETON, WI – The annual Outagamie County Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the Fox Valley Veterans Council will occur on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 11:00 AM.  While the concerns and awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic prevail so does the need to honor our United States veterans.

The 2020 ceremony will take place at St. Mary Catholic Church (312 S. State St., in Appleton, WI).  This large venue allows for proper social distancing.  There will be a maximum number of seventy people allowed inside the church.  These individuals will consist mainly of ceremony participants and leadership representatives from the local veteran service organizations.  All individuals present will be required to have their temperature checked prior to entering the building and will be required to wear a proper face covering.                                                      

Unlike past years the public will not be allowed to attend the ceremony in-person; however, in an effort to welcome everyone in the community and beyond to still witness the ceremony safely it will be live-streamed by WFRV Local 5 TV, and can be viewed at www.WFRV.com, and on the following Facebook pages:  Fox Valley Veterans Council, Outagamie County Executive – Tom Nelson, Scarlet Guard Color Guard, and WFRV Local 5.  The ceremony will consist of traditional elements including the presentation of the colors (by the Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard), the singing of the National Anthem, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, a keynote speaker, music (featuring the It’s About Time Quartet and Bagpiper Ann Norman), a rifle salute and the playing of Taps (by the Little Chute American Legion Post 258).

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, that is, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces (and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable).  It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary 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. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May.  Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who had died while in military service.  Another military holiday that also occurs in May, Armed Forces Day, honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.  Additionally, Women Veterans Day is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honors women who have served in the U.S. military.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day

Community Partnership at its Best

Where your money goes: Pride in revitalized homes

A United Way grant-funded program, Rock the Block through the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, transforms neighborhoods.

When the quality of homes in a neighborhood improve, the quality of life in a neighborhood also improves.
 
Travis, a veteran and a homeowner needed a new roof as well as other critical exterior updates. He purchased his home three years ago and has been working to complete the projects. Habitat's Rock the Block collaborated with Fox Valley Veterans Council to make it happen much sooner and much more affordably for Travis.

Travis noticed his neighbors making improvements to their homes too. This fall, 21 residential projects and five community projects were completed in the Appleton Historic Central neighborhood, the 14th neighborhood to benefit from the program to date.

“Rock the Block made a big difference in the neighborhood,” he said, “It has improved the attitude of the general public and brought up the value of these houses.”

Even through a global pandemic, your gift to United Way Fox Cities is helping homeowners like Travis afford essential improvements that enable families to live safely in their homes.