Liz Saville Roberts: “this resolution declares Emporia, KS, to be the founding city of Veterans Day. In addition, the resolution recognizes…”

“this resolution declares Emporia, KS, to be the founding city of Veterans Day. In addition, the resolution recognizes the contributions of Alvin J. King and Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, KS, to the enactment into law of the observance of Veterans Day. On October 8, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also a Kansan, signed into law a bill changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. President Eisenhower stated, ``On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.'' With the soon-to-be return of our service men and women from the war in Iraq, Veterans Day takes on a new meaning. These men and women who serve in Iraq today, join the other millions that have come before them. I am proud that President Eisenhower, Representative Rees, and Alvin King, all from the great state of Kansas, took the idea for the celebration of Veterans Day from conception to fruition. Emporia, KS, organized and celebrated Veterans Day in 1953, one year before the rest of the United States. Alvin J. King, the man behind the idea, was a shoe cobbler in Emporia. Mr. King befriended many veterans, thus realizing that we needed a national holiday to commemorate all veterans of all wars, not just those of World War I.”