The City of Mentor will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11:11 AM on Monday, November 11, 2024, to honor the men and women who have served our country in the military.
Originally known as Armistice Day, the observance was first held November 11, 1919, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I and honoring the heroism of those who died in the country’s service. In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day – a national holiday celebrating all veterans.
This year’s ceremony will be held at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery memorial promenade located at 6881 Hopkins Road.
This year’s keynote speaker is Cindy Parsons with the Wounded Warrior Project whose son, Shane, was severely injured in combat in 2006 while deployed in Iraq. Ms. Parsons left her job as a registered nurse and, for the next decade, served as Shane’s primary caregiver. She learned first-hand the challenges faced by the family members of injured veterans. Her passion for helping others led her to become a strong advocate for the family support members of other wounded warriors. In 2009, Cindy helped Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) lobby Congress for the passage of the Caregiver and Veteran Omnibus Health Service Act of 2010 – a bill providing assistance and support for caregivers of injured servicemen and women returning from war.
The public is encouraged to attend. Veteran groups are warmly invited to participate. Please contact Kevin Cindric, Recreation Coordinator, at (440) 974-5720 or cindric@cityofmentor.com for details.
The ceremony will be recorded and aired later on the Mentor Channel for those unable to attend. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Mentor Senior Center located at 8484 Munson Road.