Updated Sunday 8 p.m.
Town gets early start; schools, county celebrate Friday
Brentwood Home Page news reports
“On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918,” the armistice which for all practical purposes ended World War I was forged between the Allies and Germany.

Thus begins the history of what is now known as Veteran’s Day. Now, 93 years later, Veteran's Day is still observed and locally, those observances started last Saturday.

According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, the following Nov. 11, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two-minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public meetings, according to the center’s website.

Parades
The Town of Nolensville kicked off Williamson County’s 2011 Veteran’s Day activities with its annual Veteran’s Day Parade Saturday. The parade has become a community favorite, with local residents with previous military service and the families of current servicemen and women being the focus.

The day actually began with a sold-out breakfast for veterans and their families at the former Nolensville Elementary School.

The annual Williamson County Veterans’ Day Parade is scheduled on Nov. 11, starting at 11 a.m., at Five Points in downtown Franklin. The parade will move north down Main Street, around the Historic Square and proceed to Second Avenue.

BHP will have additional details on the parade later this week.

School events
Several schools are planning special Veteran’s Day events to mark the day.

Grassland Elementary will host a Veteran’s Day assembly, at 9 a.m., Nov. 11, during which the Old Glory DAR chapter will present the school with a framed portrait of George Washington. Grassland is the 11th Williamson County School to receive one of these portraits.

Woodland Middle School cordially invites all veterans and active duty United States military personnel and families to visit the school at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 11 as the Warriors pay tribute to active duty military personnel and retired veterans of the United States military.

A small reception will follow the program.

Woodland is located at 1500 Volunteer Parkway in Brentwood. Call 472-4230 for more information.

Community events
The Democratic Veterans Council of Williamson County will hold a blood drive on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Williamson County Democratic Party headquarters in Franklin. The address is 112 East Fowlkes Street, off Columbia Avenue and five blocks south of Five Points. The American Red Cross will have its mobile unit set up in the parking lot.

Holiday closings

A legal federal holiday, most government offices, banks and the post offices will be closed on Nov. 11. Williamson County offices, except schools, will be closed. The City of Brentwood remains open on Nov. 11.

In observance of Veterans Day, all facilities of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department will be closed Nov. 11. All facilities will reopen at their next regularly scheduled time beginning Saturday, Nov. 12.