Progress staff reports
Veterans Day is Wednesday, and in observation of this holiday to honor veterans of all U.S. wars, several government entities in Cherokee County will close for the day.
Because Veterans Day is a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service offices will be closed that day, and mail delivery will be suspended for the day, and banks will be closed for the day.
The Cherokee County Courthouse and all offices within will be closed for the day, and they will reopen Thursday for a regular business day.
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will be closed that day, as will Rusk City Hall and the Rusk Chamber of Commerce.
The Rusk VFW Post No. 3406 will hold a Veterans Day service at the Veterans Memorial on the courthouse lawn in Rusk. The 11 a.m. service is open to the public, and an open house at the VFW hall will follow.
Jacksonville’s West Side Elementary School will have a 9 a.m. and a 6 p.m. Veterans Day program on Tuesday, and the Jacksonville VFW Post No. 3984 will present programs at both Bonner Place Nursing Home on Wednesday and Oaks Nursing Home on Thursday.
Armistice Day was first declared a holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 — one year after the close of World War I — in order to celebrate a victory in the “war to end all wars,” according to www.theholidayzone.com.
“Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I,” according to the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Web site, but in 1954, after World War II ... after American forces had fought aggression in Korea,” the 83rd Congress changed the holiday’s name.
On June 1, 1954, the holiday became a day to honor American veterans of all wars, the site states.
Customarily, the holiday is celebrated at 11 a.m. with a “Present Arms” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C., by a combined color guard representing all military services.
Local News
Government entities close for Vets Day
- Local News
-
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
The school year is wrapping up, and summer is almost here, but officials have some holiday safety tips to ensure the Memorial Day weekend is safe and fun for everyone.
-
Street blocked for sewer work
A portion of Bolton Street was blocked off Thursday as public works crews worked to find the source of a sewer stoppage.
-
Fourth-graders give scholarships, learn about college
As Tomato Fest approaches, officials with West Side Elementary school will have a booth to raise money for their West Side Elementary Alumni Scholarship given to graduating seniors.
-
Bullard council tables website decision
The Bullard city council tabled a decision on moving forward on a project for a new website design due to a lack of information.
-
LMC employees receive furlough notice
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday.
-
JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects
Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.
-
Rusk ISD lunch prices to rise 25 cents
A rise in school lunch prices is among several changes slated for Rusk ISD cafeterias.
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
