Veteran's Day, a Federal holiday since Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day as November 11, 1919, and celebrated in many countries around the world, was celebrated not today like the rest of the country but last week in Kenner.
November 11th was declared Armistice Day by Wilson to celebrate the end World War I.
In a speech, Wilson said, "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
nations."
In 1938, Congress declared that November 11th was a legal holiday. The Congressional Act said, "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."
In 1954, Congress amended the act and Armistice Day was changed to Veteran's Day to honor World War II Veterans as well.
The City issued a Press Release saying that Kenner would honor Veterans on November 7th.
"I hope everyone will come out to honor our military and listen to one of the state's top officials (former Congressman Rodney Alexander) on Veteran's Day," said Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni.
If you went out today to "honor our military", in Kenner at least, you were too late.
Today, while the Post Office and government buildings were closed Kenner
Mayor Mike Yenni proclaimed November 11th as "Richard Simmons Day" and
delivered a proclamation to the fitness celebrity who was performing at
the Pontchartrain Center.
The City did not issue a Press Release noting "Richard Simmons Day" but there was a video on Nola.com.
"Instead of exercising, I thought we'd have a crab boil," Simmons said.
Hopefully Simmons had some tips for Mayor Yenni to help the Mayor deal with his stress eating issue.
