Lock Haven’s Veteran’s Day of yesterday

LOCK HAVEN -- It has been said that the United States is the home of the free because of the land of the brave and twice a year, in November and in May, these brave men are honored for their service to the United States.

The residents of Lock Haven have not let Nov. 11 pass without paying tribute to its veterans for what one writer called "that bloody business."

According to the Lock Haven Express on Nov. 11, 1925, at 11 a.m. there was a "blowing of whistles and ringing of bells reminiscent of seven years ago, when the same sounds proclaimed that the armistice, the beginning of the end of (World War I), had been signed."

Originally, Veterans Day was named Armistice Day for when World War I came to an end on Nov. 11, 1918. However, with several wars after World War I, veterans, along with soldiers who still lived from the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War, along with those who served in World War II, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam, the day's name was changed to honor all veterans.

The 1925 article continued and noted students "stood in silent and respectful attention for two minutes."

Besides the schools closing, the article writer said the "hour between 11 and 12 o'clock was observed by the closing of the post office windows and many of the stores. The courthouse offices were closed...for the rest of the day. The banks were closed all day."

Residents saw first hand how the "national colors were generously displayed throughout the city this early morning." When the businesses reopened "curb flags were in place...and in the residence streets patriotic decorations were also hung out promptly."

After the hour of silence, the public school students and teachers "observed the day with excellent programs consisting of orations, readings, vocal selections, war songs and the salute to the flags."

Many of these curb flags were placed on Church and Henderson streets and the "sides of Robb school, six in front of the Penn school, six at the Roosevelt school on West Main street, and eleven at the Lincoln school on South Fairview and Bald Eagle streets" along with 30 at the high school building.

School Superintendent Nelson Benson commented that the American flag should be displayed at the local schools.

"If there is one place in America where the American flag should be reverently displayed it is in the public school rooms and on the premises of every institution," he said.

He added, "Here the future citizens are trained in the traditions of American history, democracy and in our free institutions. The flag on Armistice Day has become doubly dear to the American people because of the sacrifices and memories of the World War still fresh in all minds. Armistice Day, it seems possible now, and may soon be the world's Peace Day and a day of brotherhood and good will to all peoples."

Over at the high school, more tributes were paid.

According to the same article, students sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and included "Scripture reading...and two selections, 'Song of the Armorer' and 'Pack Up Your Troubles' by the glee club."

The Express writer mentioned that other patriotic poems and writings were read along with Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address."

"The concluding number was 'Taps' by the (school's) Choral club," the article said.

The local American Legion club, the William Marshall Crawford Post, chose to have a dance instead of a parade. Like the high school, it also featured solos and recitations of poems such as "Flanders Fields."

It's interesting to note that in 1949, just a few years after World War II ended, an editorial from the Lock Haven Express editor complained that Lock Haven did little to remember the day.

"With all credit to the planners and the participants in yesterday's Armistice Day observance, we think Lock Haven could do better," the writer began. "Certainly, Lock Haven could turn out in larger numbers to do honor to the nation’s defenders at the 11 o'clock (AM) ceremonies."

He explained that “Armistice Day is an occasion for solemn thoughts of peace, how hard it is to achieve, how difficult to protect, how much life and hope must be sacrificed for it, whether in the clash of warfare, or in the more subtle rivalries of international maneuvering."

He elaborated that the day was dedicated to the "memory of those who died in the bloody business of fighting our past wars."

The editorial scribe said he hoped this would inspire more participation from locals. "We should keep up our observance of Armistice Day as yearly evidence that we are also keeping alive our hope that the end of fighting some time may truly mean the beginning of peace."