Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient Lt. Frank Revoir, Sr. served as Master of Ceremonies for Norwich's Memorial Day services in West Park on May 29. On Saturday a service for Veterans Day will begin at just after 11 a.m. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH – On Saturday, the Norwich VFW, along with members of the American Legion and City of Norwich officials, will honor veterans with a brief memorial ceremony in East Park.

Members will host a Veterans Day service in East Park on November 11 with ceremonies taking place at 11 a.m.

The time and date mark the end of World War I when the formal agreement to end the war was signed on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918. The day is a memorial to honor all fallen veterans.

Wreaths honoring World War I veterans are placed in front of the World War I monument in East Park. During the service, several other wreaths are placed by veterans and members of civic organizations.

The wreaths recognize veterans of foreign and domestic wars, veterans of the war on global terror, disabled veterans, fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders, POW and MIA veterans, World War II veterans lost at sea, and Gold Star Mothers.

(AP)Each November America recognizes the service and sacrifice of military veterans on Veterans Day. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day but renamed Veterans Day in the United States in 1954, the holiday is a federal holiday throughout the country. The first Armistice Day was observed in 1919.

When is Veterans Day observed?

Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11. In 2023, Veterans Day is a Saturday. Because Veterans Day falls on a Saturday in 2023, the federal observation date is Friday, November 10.

Why is November 11 so significant?

November 11 is a significant day in world history because it marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany on November 11, 1918. Though the formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was not signed until 1919, the day is viewed as the end of World War I.

What distinguishes Veterans Day from Memorial Day?

Veterans Day honors all those individuals who served honorably in the military during both wartime and peacetime. Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember military personnel who died in the service of their country.

What is the significance of red poppies?

Red poppies are ubiquitous on Memorial Day, but they’re also visible on Veterans Day. Though it’s not taboo to wear red poppies on Veterans Day, it’s a tradition that aligns more with Memorial Day. That’s because the poppies are typically worn to honor fallen military personnel. A 1915 poem written by a Canadian Lieutenant Colonel named John McCrae referred to the fields of poppies growing around the graves of World War I soldiers in Flanders.

Do other countries honor their military veterans?

Many countries across the globe honor their military veterans, and many do so on November 11 as well. For example, Canadians and Australians observe Remembrance Day on November 11. Great Britain observes Remembrance Day on the Sunday nearest to November 11.