An effort to honor Veterans Day’s origins, which began earlier this year, will culminate Tuesday.
That culmination will begin at 3 pm on the third floor of the Lyon County History Center with a reception to be followed by a brief program detailing the holiday’s origins led by Lyon County History Center Director Lisa Soller at 3:30 pm. The evening will culminate in the unveiling of a special plaque honoring Emporia’s Alvin King, who led the charge to rename the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954.
Soller says this recognition is well deserved not only because of the spotlight it helped to shine on military service personnel, but also for the role it played in putting Emporia in a national spotlight.
Plans for the plaque honoring King were announced earlier this year by Jesse Solis (Sole-Liss), who says it was a deeply personal endeavor for him.
The plaque will be located at the site of King’s former shoe store at 723 Commercial Street. The public is invited to attend the program and unveiling.
