Operation Sweaters for Veterans begins Nov. 1

Staff Report

Nov. 11, Americans throughout the world will commemorate Veterans Day, a day set aside to thank our nation’s veterans for service given and sacrifices made to protect the freedoms of our great nation. Rockford’s Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is sponsoring their annual VFMC Operation Sweaters for Veterans initiative.

The dates for the promotion have historic significance: Nov. 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918. At 5 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, the Germans signed the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease, bringing the hostilities of the First World War to an end.

The day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades and the closing of places of business … just a few examples of the many joyous demonstrations throughout the world on this historic occasion.

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation. The last paragraph set the tone for future observances: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.”

Beginning Nov. 1, through Veterans Day, Nov. 12, Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is collecting new or gently-used sweaters and gloves to be delivered to local Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, VA homes and veterans’ service organizations.

In addition, Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is the Official Cell Phones for Soldiers drop-off center. Bring in your old cell phone to recycle and convert into one hour of free talk time for heroes overseas.

Everyone in the community is invited to support veterans and military heroes by donating sweaters, gloves and old cell phones at Grace Funeral & Cremation Services, 1340 S. Alpine Road, Rockford (at Colonial Village). For more information, call (815) 395-0559.

From the Oct. 24-30, 2012, issue