On Veterans Day, our local community participated in a program held at Central Middle School. The county’s elementary schools hosted the program, which brought, impressively, more than 100 veterans to attend.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “an Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’”

The act was amended and approved by legislation on June 1, 1954, to drop the word Armistice and replace it with Veterans, according to the agency.

For those who have not served in a branch of the armed forces or have relatives who provided service, there may be a bit of confusion surrounding the holiday. Furthermore, I have seen confusion about the differences between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

While Veterans Day is reserved to honor those who have served, Memorial Day is a special holiday to remember those who died while serving in our military. Memorial Day is held on the last Monday in May.

American Journalist Elmer Davis once said, “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

Several brave students provided reflections on the occasion at the program and illustrated their patriotism through the gift of song.

As future leaders of Charlotte County, I applaud these young citizens for honoring those who served in the Armed Forces. Let us continue to set positive examples for the students in the county, while providing them with creative avenues to express their thoughts. Great job, Charlotte County Public Schools!

Italia Gregory is the community editor of The Charlotte Gazette. Her email address is italia.gregory@thecharlottegazette.com.