A week of tribute
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 01:52 p.m., November 8, 2007
Updated 01:52 p.m., November 8, 2007
It hardly seems like time for Veterans Day. Autumn has been drifting along in Emporia, with October barely distinguishable from September and November just a bit cooler. There has not been an ice storm or a snow flurry to mark the slow advance of the season. If Emporia told time by the weather instead of the calendar, people would still be waiting to buy their Halloween candy.
But the calendar is the final arbiter in the matter, and Veterans Day will be on Sunday.
As usual, Emporia has a fairly full schedule for its annual All Veterans Tribute. The city is, after all, the official birthplace of Veterans Day, certified by congressional resolution.
This year’s tribute is not as fancy as the one several years ago that marked the 50th anniversary of the observance — Saturday’s parade is likely to be smaller and there will be no Camp Tribute this year with military re-enactments. But there will be a “USO” show Friday night and a couple of special touches.
One of those touches will be at the USO show, which will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Albert Taylor Hall at the university. Tickets are free — if any are left — at the Convention & Visitors Bureau, 719 Commercial St.
During the evening, Emporian Warren Horton will be admitted as a chevalier, or knight, of the French Legion of Honor. At the command of the president of France, Horton is being honored for his service with the American military in France during World War II. Another American soldier so honored was Horton’s former commander and fellow Kansan, Dwight Eisenhower. It is quite an honor.
Speaking of honor, the American Red Cross is running a special blood drive in Emporia this week “Honoring Those Who Have Served.” The Bloodmobile will be at the Lee Beran Recreation Center until 7 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. To make an appointment, call (800) 448-5433. Walk-ins are also welcome, but may have to wait.
For the past six years, Americans have complained that they have not been asked to make any sacrifices in this war. Nothing is rationed to ensure that the troops get what they need and there are no scrap drives or Victory Gardens.
Denied the opportunity to toil or sweat and discouraged from tears, the one thing most people can do to help their country — help people in and out of the service — is give blood.
That’s a worthy sacrifice.
If you can give blood, give it. You’ll feel like standing a little taller at Saturday morning’s parade when the flags go by.