Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Answered the Call to Serve
By Police Chief Robert Spinks ' Parsons Police Department
November 11, 2026
There are certain dates on the American calendar that deserve more than a passing acknowledgment. They call upon us to remember who we are as a nation, the sacrifices that helped shape our freedoms, and the men and women who stepped forward when their country needed them.
November 11 is one of those dates.
Each year, Veterans Day provides an opportunity for Americans to recognize the millions of men and women who have worn the uniforms of our Armed Forces. Some served during times of war, others during periods of relative peace. Some spent their military careers on distant battlefields, aboard ships, or in aircraft over hostile territory. Others served at military installations here at home, maintaining the readiness and security of our nation. Their assignments may have differed, but they shared something important: a willingness to serve something greater than themselves.
Here in Parsons, Kansas, that spirit of service is woven into the fabric of our community. Our veterans are not simply names engraved on memorials or faces in old military photographs. They are our neighbors, coworkers, business owners, teachers, police officers, firefighters, friends, and family members. They are the men and women we encounter at the grocery store, at church, at community gatherings, and along our sidewalks. Many rarely speak about their military experiences. Others carry memories of their service that remain as vivid today as they were decades ago.
All deserve our gratitude.
From Armistice Day to Veterans Day: A Holiday Born from War
The origins of Veterans Day reach back more than a century to the closing hours of World War I, a conflict that devastated much of Europe and claimed millions of lives. On November 11, 1918, an armistice between the Allied powers and Germany brought an end to fighting on the Western Front. The agreement took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
For a world exhausted by years of unprecedented destruction, that moment represented hope that peace might finally prevail. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day, envisioning a national observance marked by solemn remembrance, gratitude, and reflection upon the sacrifices of those who served. Congress formally recognized November 11 through a concurrent resolution in 1926, and in 1938, the date became a federal legal holiday known as Armistice Day.
Initially, the holiday focused primarily on the veterans of World War I. But history would soon demonstrate that the sacrifices of American military personnel were far from over. World War II brought another generation of Americans into military service, followed by the Korean War. Millions of veterans returned home with experiences that would shape their lives and their communities for decades.
In 1954, following advocacy by veterans' organizations, Congress amended the law to replace the word Armistice with Veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Kansas native and former Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, signed the legislation. The change expanded the holiday's purpose from commemorating the end of one war to honoring American veterans of all eras. It was a significant evolution in our nation's understanding of military service. Veterans Day was no longer simply about remembering a particular moment in history. It became a national expression of appreciation for everyone who had answered the call to serve.
Why November 11 Still Matters
During the late 1960s, Congress adopted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved several federal holiday observances to Mondays. For a brief period beginning in 1971, Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday in October. However, many veterans' organizations, states, and citizens believed the change weakened the historical meaning of November 11. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed legislation restoring Veterans Day to its traditional date, effective in 1978.
Today, Veterans Day is observed on November 11, regardless of which day of the week it falls. When the date falls on a weekend, federal employees may receive an adjacent weekday as the official holiday for leave purposes, but the historical observance remains November 11. That distinction matters.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month is more than an interesting historical reference. It symbolizes the hope for peace that followed one of humanity's most destructive conflicts and reminds us of the enormous human cost of war.
Veterans Day is about honoring those who served, recognizing the sacrifices they made, and appreciating the freedoms their service helped preserve. It is also important to distinguish Veterans Day from Memorial Day. Memorial Day is specifically dedicated to remembering those who died while serving in our nation's military. Veterans Day honors all American military veterans, living and deceased, with particular emphasis on expressing gratitude to those still among us.
Parsons, Kansas: A Community with Deep Military Roots
For Parsons and the surrounding communities of Labette County, military service is not simply a chapter in a history textbook. It is part of our local heritage. Generations of area residents have served in conflicts stretching from the Civil War and the Spanish-American War through World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other military operations around the world. Some returned home to resume their lives in southeastern Kansas. Others made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned.
Parsons also played an important role in America's military-industrial history. During World War II, the federal government established the Kansas Ordnance Plant near Parsons as part of the nation's massive wartime mobilization. The installation, later known as the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, became a major ammunition-production facility and an important source of employment for the region. Its development transformed the local economy and connected thousands of area workers and families to the broader national defense effort. The facility continued supporting military ammunition production through subsequent periods of American history, including the Korean and Vietnam War eras. Today, much of the former installation has been repurposed as the Great Plains Industrial Park, representing another chapter in the property's long history.
Although the facility itself was not a military base in the traditional sense, its workforce played a meaningful role in supporting American military readiness. Those civilian workers remind us that national defense has always depended upon communities willing to contribute their labor, ingenuity, and resources. The legacy of military service is also reflected in the local veterans' organizations, cemeteries, memorials, family histories, and community traditions that preserve the stories of those who served.
Parsons remains home to the 329th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve. The 329th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is a U.S. Army Reserve unit that provides logistical and sustainment support to combat forces. This includes supply management, maintenance, and other operational support functions that keep combat units ready and operational
Military Service Does Not End When the Uniform Comes Off
One of the most remarkable characteristics of America's veterans is that their commitment to service frequently continues long after their military careers have ended. Across the country, veterans have become police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, teachers, nurses, public administrators, entrepreneurs, and community volunteers. The military experience often develops leadership, discipline, teamwork, accountability, and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. These qualities can translate into meaningful contributions to civilian life.
In law enforcement, we recognize many of these same values. The oath taken by a police officer is different from the oath taken by a member of our Armed Forces, but both professions carry a commitment to protecting others, upholding the Constitution, and accepting responsibilities that can involve personal risk.
As a police chief, I appreciate the experience and perspective that military veterans bring to the policing profession. Their understanding of teamwork, personal responsibility, and service can strengthen our organizations and the communities we protect. Yet we should never assume that every veteran's transition to civilian life has been easy.
Some return home carrying physical injuries. Others live with the emotional consequences of experiences that most Americans will never encounter. Some struggle to reconnect with family members, find meaningful employment, or navigate the challenges of returning to civilian life.
Still others transition successfully but discover that the sense of purpose and camaraderie they experienced during military service is difficult to replace. Recognizing those realities does not diminish their service. It reinforces our responsibility to support them. A grateful nation must do more than thank its veterans during an annual ceremony. It must remain committed to ensuring they have access to the services, opportunities, healthcare, and support they have earned.
The Families Who Serve Alongside Our Veterans
When we honor veterans, we should also recognize the extraordinary contributions of their families. Military service is rarely an individual sacrifice.
Spouses manage households during long deployments. Children celebrate birthdays and holidays without a parent at home. Mothers and fathers worry about sons and daughters serving in distant locations. Families endure uncertainty when communication becomes difficult or news reports describe escalating conflicts overseas. For some families, the long-awaited homecoming is a joyous occasion. For others, military service leaves permanent changes in family relationships, health, and daily life. Military families demonstrate a special kind of resilience that deserves recognition.
Gratitude Should Be More Than a Once-a-Year Tradition
We can support local veterans' organizations and programs that assist former service members. We can encourage employers to recognize the skills and leadership that veterans bring to the workplace. We can help veterans connect with available benefits and services when they need assistance. And perhaps most importantly, we can make certain that veterans are not forgotten as they grow older or encounter difficult circumstances. For all of us, a sincere expression of appreciation can carry more meaning than we realize. A simple thank you for your service may seem like a small gesture, but when offered genuinely, it communicates something important: Your service mattered, and your community remembers.
A Personal Message from the Chief
During my years in law enforcement, I have had the privilege of working alongside men and women who previously served in our nation's Armed Forces. I have witnessed how the values developed through military service can continue to influence individuals throughout their lives. I have also learned that courage is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes courage is a young person leaving home for military training, uncertain about what lies ahead.
As Americans, we owe these individuals more than a single day of recognition. We owe them our respect, our appreciation, and a continuing commitment to the ideals they served to defend. Our nation has experienced periods of tremendous unity and painful division. We may disagree about public policy, political leadership, or the decisions that have sent American military personnel into harm's way.
Their service belongs to the history of our entire nation. Of special note this Veterans Day is the recognition of the recent passing of State Representative Rep. Dan Goddard who had a distinguished 24‑year career in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, squadron commander, and base commander, retiring at the rank of Colonel. As a Parsonian, he recent passing is a loss to be recognized by our community.
This November 11, Remember the Meaning Behind the Holiday
As Veterans Day approaches, I encourage everyone in Parsons and throughout southeastern Kansas to take a few moments to reflect on the significance of November 11. Remember the historical meaning of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Remember the generations of Americans who answered their nation's call during times of war and peace. Remember the families who supported them and the communities that welcomed them home. And remember that the freedoms, opportunities, and security we enjoy today have been protected through the service and sacrifice of countless Americans.
Here at the Parsons Police Department, we are humbled by the bravery, courage, and dedication of the veterans in our community and across our nation. They are our neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members, and loved ones.
To every veteran who has served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force, including those who served in predecessor military organizations, please accept our sincere appreciation. To the families who stood beside them, we recognize and appreciate your sacrifices as well. We thank you for your patriotism, your love of country, and your willingness to serve something greater than yourselves.
From all of us at the Parsons Police Department, thank you to our veterans and their families. We honor your service, we appreciate your sacrifices, and we remain grateful for your commitment to our country.
Chief Robert Spinks, MA, MS
