ST. JOHNSBURY - Residents gathered on Thursday to honor those who have protected our nations flag and those who still fight for our freedom.

November 11th was not always considered Veterans Day. President, Woodrow Wilson, proclaimed November 11th, 1919 an Armistice Day to celebrate the end of the first World War. In 1938 it became a legal holiday. 15 years later in 1953, Alfred King, a shoe maker from Kansas, who served in World War II, started a campaign to change it from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to celebrate all soldiers past and present. A year later President, Dwight Eisenhower, signed it in to law on May 26th, 1954.

For many it was a day of remembrance and contemplation. Currently, over 1500 Vermonters are overseas serving in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We wish all the troops a safe and healthy return to their families.