Published on November 11, 2025 11:17 am
Last Updated on November 11, 2025 11:17 am
(VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER JOSH LAYTON SPEAKS AT TUESDAY’S VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES DAVE ALTHOFF LOOKS ON)
Everyone who signed up to serve is a veteran.
That was Veterans Service Officer Josh Layton’s message at Tuesday morning’s Veterans Day observance in downtown Effingham. The ceremony was hosted by the Disabled American Veterans.
Layton said he has those who served tell him that they aren’t a veteran since they didn’t serve in wartime, but he says “if you signed up, then up to the cost of your life, you are a veteran.”
Layton reminded to consider all of those who served, saying that “not every injury is physical.”
The Effingham Elks Lodge made a presentation of $2,000 to help with the upkeep of the Veterans Memorial on the courthouse lawn. An Elks representative said this was their second such presentation in a week.
