OKEECHOBEE -- During the Veterans Day observance in Okeechobee, veterans renewed their oath to support and defend the Constitution. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

OKEECHOBEE – A flyover with five helicopters from Florida Forestry Service kicked off the Veterans Day observance at the Veterans Memorial section of Flagler Park.

“Today we honor every man and woman who has bravely worn the uniform and protected our nation,” said Okeechobee County Veterans Services Office Paul Hiott, who was master of ceremonies.

Member of the Sons of the American Revolution served as the Color Guard.

Maleah Wright sang the National Anthem.

Pastor Dustin Spartlin of Okeechobee Church of God gave the invocation.

At the end of the ceremony, veterans in attendance were invited to renew their Oath of Enlistment, swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

Following the program, veterans were invited to go to the Okeechobee County airport for helicopter rides, courtesy of the Florida Forestry Service.

Veterans Day has been celebrated each year on Nov. 11 since 1919, when then-President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The armistice between the Allied Powers and Germany went into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday honored the veterans of World War I.

In 1954, Congress renamed the holiday to Veterans Day and expanded it to honor all who have served in the Armed Services of the United States.