Veterans to be honored on their special day

One hundred years ago, while folks in northern Minnesota were just beginning to recover from the Oct. 12 fires and the Spanish influenza after both swept through the area, news of a war-ending armistice reached Minneapolis just before 2 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

As described by author Curt Brown in his “Minnesota 1918” book, sirens went off, “lights blinked on in homes, and people poured into the streets.”

Major hostilities of WWI 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.

In England they still celebrate Nov. 11 as Armistice Day; in the United States, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 and has become a day to honor all military veterans.

Following are some of the local events going on this weekend in honor of Veterans Day. Remember that local governmental offices and the post office will be closed in honor of this national holiday.

Veterans Parade

There will be a Veterans March in downtown Duluth on Friday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Veterans will march from the Depot down Fifth Ave. West to the DECC, where there will be a ceremony. People are encouraged to come and show their support for the veterans.

Marine Corps Ball

The Marine Corps Ball is Saturday, Nov. 10, starting with a social hour at 4 p.m. at the Cloquet VFW Post 3979 at 210 Arch St. in Cloquet. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. with a ceremony at 6 p.m., and a dance starting after the ceremony. Tickets available at the door for $30 per person. Open to all military branches and guests.

Veterans Day Dinner in Cloquet

There will be a Veterans Day dinner Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Cloquet VFW at 210 Arch St., starting at 3 p.m. Enjoy turkey dinner with all the trimmings and dessert; free for all Veterans, $10 for guests. Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Post 262 and the Cloquet VFW Auxiliary Post 3979.

Veterans Day Dinner in Carlton

The Carlton VFW Post 2962 at 124 Chestnut Ave. will host a Veterans Day dinner starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. The program begins at 5 p.m. with a roast beef dinner at 5:30 p.m. Veterans eat for free, cost for guests is $8.

Armistice Day

Moose Lake Area Historical Society invites you to an Armistice Day event starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Soo Line Event Center, 900 Folz Boulevard, Moose Lake. Enjoy patriotic music by the Barnum Jazz Band, readings and video, followed by coffee and cookies.

Veterans Day program in Cromwell

All area veterans and their families are invited to the Cromwell-Wright School for a 1 p.m. program Monday, Nov. 12. Veterans and their families should wait in the lobby to be escorted into the school gym for the annual ceremony.