Most people don’t realize it all started right here.

Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, was the driving force behind the creation of Veterans Day, organizing the first celebration in Jefferson County in 1947. He successfully lobbied President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who designated Veterans Day in 1954 as a national holiday honoring all who served — expanding beyond the original focus on World War I veterans celebrated as Armistice Day in the years before.

Birmingham is gearing up to host its annual Veterans Day Parade Tuesday, Nov. 11, a cherished tradition honoring those who have served and the sacrifices made by past and present military personnel and their families.

The National Veterans Day Foundation, a completely volunteer organization with no government funding,

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