Published: November 06, 2009 11:42 pm      

TUCKER: Veterans Day: A time to say thanks

Just when we thought the elections were behind us for another year, a near-tie vote is holding up the final outcome in Tonawanda.

In the meantime, congratulations to all who competed in really dean, stick-to-the-issues campaigns. With few exceptions, campaigners were talking about issues rather than personalities.

A word to Larry Soos, who has been a really visible mayor for the past four years and whose down-to-earth, let’s get on with it style will become a hallmark of his legacy: Let’s hope you continue your love of North Tonawanda, contributing your knowledge for the betterment of my hometown.

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Tom Miller, retired chief of the City of Tonawanda Fire Department, sent in a wonderful tribute to former fire captain Gary Gath after having attended Gath’s funeral service recently.

Tom wrote: “Gary loved life to its fullest. He loved firefighting and honky-tonk music. Gary had that unique ability to get along with everybody.

“Gary was our union president for 26 years and served the department for 31 years. When people ask how do you get volunteer firefighters to work with union firefighters, it is not easy and then throw in you have to work with the chief and the common council, it really gets tricky. Gary was able to do that and as such he set the standards that have made our fire department an excellent combination fire department ...

“The service for Gary at Immanuel Lutheran Church was New Orleans style with the Morgan Street Stompers playing ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘As Time Goes By.’ The Stompers again played at the cemetery where Gary was laid to rest. It was a service Gary would have been proud of.

“... He will be greatly missed by all of us in the fire service and all the people who knew and loved him.”

What a beautiful tribute. Thanks, Tom.

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World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In Nov. 1919, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and at 11 a.m., a brief suspension of business would take place.

The Uniform Holiday Bill, signed in 1968, intended to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays Mondays. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion Oct. 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so in 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11. The restoration helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

This year, the United Veterans Council of the Tonawandas and the Conrad Kania Marine Corps League will host the annual “Service at Sea” at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the Renaissance Bridge. Let’s have a large turnout to show appreciation to all the veterans who have served so well to keep this country free.

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Congratulations to Evelyn Zupo for being named Citizen of the Year and to Industrial Tool Sharpening Inc. of North Tonawanda, named Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas. Both awards are well deserved.

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And finally, don’t you just love this bumper sticker: “The government doesn’t work. Please return my taxes.”

Contact community editor

Barbara Tucker at 693-1000, ext. 110, or e-mail barbara.tucker@

tonawanda-news.com.