Military veterans, current soldiers and many others gathered together in Little Rock on Monday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
The program included a moment for veterans to stand as their branch’s anthem played.
Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke to a crowded room about the 100th anniversary. He said while the signers of the Armistice of Compiègne hoped there would be no other major wars of the same scale, it was a false hope.
“Since then we’ve learned the frailty and the evilness in times of human nature. And we have had those that were caused to stand up and fight against tyranny. And that also sets a stage for the United States’ leadership role in the struggle for freedom and to oppose tyranny across the globe,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson also spoke on the national “Homegrown by Heroes” program, which helps farmer veterans market their products as veteran-produced. Arkansas adopted the program in 2015. The governor recognized two Arkansas veterans who were using the program.
Colonel Nate Todd, the Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, spoke on the benefits of hiring veterans.
“We are placing veterans throughout the industry, and what does that veteran bring? He brings leadership, he brings management skills, he brings an ability to work with others,” Todd said.
Todd mentioned the state’s tax exemptions towards the pay of retired military personnel and tuition waivers for joining the National Guard as examples of how Arkansas assists its veterans.