PARIS – World War I, the “war to end all wars,” did not.

“If the idealistic hope was realized that November 11 was the war to end all wars, Armistice Day would have remained,” said Veterans Day keynote speaker Dennis Bowden of the reason why we celebrate Veterans Day and not Armistice Day today.

More than 100 people from the area who attended the Veterans Day Service in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School auditorium were reminded of why Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11 during a ceremony that was hosted by the Stone-Smart Post 82 of the American Legion Monday morning.

Bowden, a 22-year Marine veteran from Norway, gave the keynote address at the ceremony, first speaking to the attendees about the factual history of Veterans Day, then stepping away from the podium and toward the audience.

“Now I’m going to tell you a little bit about what Veterans Day means to me,” said Bowden, who put away his notes to speak from his heart.

Bowden, who has served as a military guard to presidents and secretaries of state at embassies around the world, as a gunnery sergeant, drill instructor and infantry officer, spoke of his thankfulness to God that he is alive and for the men and women he has served with and those who serve around the world every day.

“I thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military during wartime or peacetime,” he said. “I thank all of them in my own way.”

And despite the tough reputation of drill instructors, he said he gave thanks for his drill instructors at Parris Island, the Marine Corps boot Camp in South Carolina, who taught him loyalty, compassion, honor, brotherhood, respect and discipline.

“I can laugh and cry all at the same time,” he said of his feelings about the men and women who are honored on Veterans Day.

Norway, Paris, Oxford and Buckfield American Legion Posts, as well as the South Paris Veterans of Foreign Wars, participated in the ceremony, which began with the welcome by Ralph Millett, Post 82 commander and master of ceremonies, followed by the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Millett.

The National Anthem was played by the Oxford Hills High School Band, under the direction of Kyle Jordan, followed by an invocation by the Rev. Richard Beal of the Norway Universalist Church.

Chris Dowling, a senior in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Band, played taps.