Published: November 07, 2009 08:36 pm      

Thank you, veterans

On Wednesday – Nov. 11 – America will honor its military veterans, past and present. The tradition started in 1919.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 a day of “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory” in World War I.

Beginning Monday, Kokomo and Howard County will observe Military Appreciation Days through Nov. 16. Howard County Veteran Services officer Bob Ladd said it’s the only celebration of its kind in the state.

Military Appreciation Days is the brainchild of Rick Riddle, manager Kokomo’s Golden Corral. The restaurant chain began serving free meals to veterans eight years ago. It will again Nov. 16. It’s called Military Appreciation Monday.

The Kokomo Golden Corral served 1,600 free meals to veterans last year, and neighboring Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery joined in the observance.

That’s when Riddle decided he could help make the observance even bigger. Beginning Monday, 38 Howard County businesses – from restaurants, flower shops and photography studios to furniture stores and farm equipment suppliers – will offer discounts for veterans.

About 8,000 Howard County residents are military veterans, according to the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. We join Riddle and the other participating businesses in thanking our family members and neighbors who served in the U.S. military.

Thank you, each and every one, for stepping forward and saying, “I’ll go.”