POINT PLEASANT — Veterans are the reason why Americans are able to appreciate the freedoms that they have today.

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans and is both a federal and state holiday. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for Nov. 11, 1919. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that the president issue another proclamation to observe Nov. 11 with appropriate ceremonies.

An Act approved on May 13, 1938 made Nov. 11 in each year a legal holiday. Congress amended the act on Nov. 8, 1954 and replaced “armistice” with Veterans, which is what the holiday is known as today.

Mason County certainly recognizes the importance of honoring veterans as several Veterans Day events are planned for the area. Today, area veterans will be honored with a Veterans Day Parade. The parade is slated to begin at 1 p.m. with parade line-up set for 12:30 p.m. The parade will take place on Main Street in Point Pleasant. According to Dennis Rayburn, parade organizer, the parade is vital because everyone should recognize veterans.

“Veterans Day is important because it is the one opportunity that veterans have to celebrate and to be celebrated for their service to the country,” Rayburn said.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10 Wahama High School will pay tribute to area veterans with a special assembly. The assembly, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium, will feature special music, speeches written by students and a ceremony to personally honor all veterans in attendance as well as those who are deceased or unable to attend. Following the assembly, the WHS student council and National Honor Society will host a reception for the veterans who attend.

According to WHS Vice Principal Melissa Vanmeter, all area veterans are welcome to attend the assembly. Those who plan on attending are asked to call the school at 304-773-5539.

Another activity to honor veterans will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11., and will feature a Veterans Day Flyover of the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard at the Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Inc., located on W.Va. 62 in Letart. The Flyover will take place at 11:55 a.m., and will feature former Army and Vietnam Veteran, Rev. Charles Hargraves, who will lead the invocation at 11:40 a.m. Bill Davis, a former Air Force veteran, will play TAPS at the conclusion of the Flyover. According to Steve Halstead, event organizer, all veterans along with the general public are welcome to attend and should arrive at 11:30 a.m. For more information on the Flyover, call Halstead at 304-895-3691.

Also on Wednesday, Nov. 11, area veterans and active military will have the opportunity to receive a 10 percent discount on store items at area Fruth Pharmacies. Veterans who visit Fruth Pharmacy will receive a free patriotic gift as well. According to Lynn Fruth, chairman of the Fruth board, Fruth Pharmacy is offering the discount to veterans as a way to celebrate all that they have done and sacrificed for the country.