An armistice ended the fighting of World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. The anniversary of Armistice Day was celebrated annually starting the next year, and in the United States it became a national holiday in 1926. In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to honor all those who have served in peace and war.

The Manheim Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Cyrus R. Peters Memorial Post 5956 and its auxiliary will hold a Veterans Day service on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will be held at the Manheim Veterans Memorial plaza on Memorial Drive starting at 11 a.m. It will feature a guest speaker, remarks by the post commander and music by the Manheim Central High School choir and orchestra. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of Taps to honor all those who have fallen while in service to our nation.

The featured speaker for the ceremony will be Lt. Col. Ian Dunlap, United States Marine Corps. Dunlap is currently a student at the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks. He received his commission as a Marine Officer from the Virginia Military Institute and is a graduate of a number of military schools, including the Marine Special Operations School Individual Training Course, the Expeditionary Warfare School and the College of Naval Command and Staff. Prior to his arrival at Carlisle Barracks, he commanded the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion in Bangor, Wash. He has also commanded at the company, team and platoon-level and has deployed multiple times in support of operations in the Middle East and Africa.

This year's Veterans Day is the day after the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The Continental Corps of Marines was established by the Second Continental Congress on Nov. 10, 1775. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia is regarded as the birthplace of the Corps because it was the first Marine enlistment site under Captain of Marines Samuel Nicholas, who owned the establishment.

Kyle Proctor, commander of VFW Post 5956, noted that in addition to the Marine Corps birthday, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam, 75 years since the start of the Korean War and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. All of the anniversaries will be noted during the program.

The VFW is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. The VFW and its auxiliary have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as their communities.

In addition to promoting veterans and veteran causes, Manheim's Cyrus R. Peters Memorial VFW Post 5956 and auxiliary support Manheim Central sports and education, make donations to local charitable organizations and conduct service projects in the area. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/ManheimVfwPost5956.