Countywide

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed Nov. 10 to 16 as “Veterans of World War I Week.” Veterans Day, on Monday, will mark the 67th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, ending World War I.

“World War I dramatically changed the course of history of the United States as well as rearranging the map of Europe,” said C. Justian Merriman, chairman of the 6th District of Veterans of World War I, which represents veterans from that war now living in San Diego and Imperial counties. “The knowledge of this conflict has almost disappeared from the minds of most Americans.”

Merriman, 84, said there are fewer than 250,000 living veterans from World War I and that they are the only ones who know the true nature of the war that raged from 1914 to 1918. He said these veterans range in age from 77 to 96.

“If we are ever able to share their knowledge publicly, it must be now,” he said.

A group of veterans, headed by Merriman, will visit high school and junior high school history classes in the area before and during the week, screening the film, “The Great War,” which describes the war in detail, he said. Other educational activities are being planned by the group, such as speaking engagements to local groups.