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| Homage: The Veterans Day ceremony brought a strong turnout to Veterans Memorial Park. Above, the crowd takes part in a moment of silence. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Commemorating on Veterans Day
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
In honor of Veterans Day last Wednesday, a moment of silence was held during the annual ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Benson for those killed in the Fort Hood shooting.
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of killing 13 fellow soldiers and injuring 30 more Nov. 5 at the Army base in Killeen, Texas.
Master of Ceremonies Dave Hanson of local VFW Post 6271 asked for the moment of silence as this year's Veteran's Day hit home a little more. Veterans Day honors those who have fallen, those still missing and those currently serving.
Mayor Mark Fenn read a proclamation designating Nov. 9 through Nov. 15 as Veterans Awareness Week.
"The contributions and sacrifices of these brave men and women have been vital in preserving the freedoms and protecting the way of life cherished and enjoyed by all Americans," Fenn said. "Freedom is not free, and with this observance, we are reminded of the price that has been paid and continues to be paid to protect the very ideals that are the foundation of this nation."
J-Six resident Paul Kertchum knows first-hand the heavy toll for democracy.
"Today I look back like many veterans on days where we were fighting for our lives, but more importantly we were fighting for our freedom," the World War II and Bataan Death March survivor said. "I think of the three-and-a-half years spent in various prison camps with little food and no medicine and always wondering if we would survive."
Kertchum took a moment to name several of his fellow soldiers, some of whom survived, and others who did not make it home.
Representing the Corporal George Salcido Detachment of the Marine Corps League, Don Swift read a speech titled 'Freedom,' written from the mind of a soldier at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.
"I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you, and it has stolen democracy from the people because once again you remained silent," Swift read. "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives you the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who gives you the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who allows you to demonstrate. It is the soldier, sailor or Marine who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag ... that allow the protestor to burn the flag in the misconception of free speech. And the public stands around defeated. Was all my suffering in vain?"
Swift went on to read the number of troops killed in every American war, along with the number of soldiers held captive and the number of soldiers who remain missing today.
Representing Vietnam War veterans, David Leonard also addressed the packed park in the 30-minute ceremony.
"Veterans Day is a solemn anniversary to honor the sacrifice that brought peace," Leonard said. "It is appropriate that Veterans Day honors those who have served our military. They sacrificed much to serve our country. We honor those who paid the ultimate price, those still missing, those held prisoner and those who have lived beyond their years of service."
One of the most moving parts of the ceremony came at the end when Hanson asked the audience if they wanted to speak. Benjamin Rounds, a local Boy Scout troop member, took the microphone.
With tears, Rounds said he appreciated veterans for what they have done, but also paid tribute to his father, who he said served in the military, but was killed in a car crash.
Other community events
In honor of Veterans Day, others in the community also celebrated the anniversary.
Besides letting golfers play for free, the Turquoise Hills Golf and RV also displayed the colors, decorating the 18-hole course with more than 2,000 miniature flags.
Ben Topper, a co-owner of the course, said other owners Art Bale, George Neff and the facility's groundskeeper are veterans, and it seemed fitting to do what they could to celebrate Veterans Day, and honor America's soldiers.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
In honor of Veterans Day last Wednesday, a moment of silence was held during the annual ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Benson for those killed in the Fort Hood shooting.
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of killing 13 fellow soldiers and injuring 30 more Nov. 5 at the Army base in Killeen, Texas.
Master of Ceremonies Dave Hanson of local VFW Post 6271 asked for the moment of silence as this year's Veteran's Day hit home a little more. Veterans Day honors those who have fallen, those still missing and those currently serving.
Mayor Mark Fenn read a proclamation designating Nov. 9 through Nov. 15 as Veterans Awareness Week.
"The contributions and sacrifices of these brave men and women have been vital in preserving the freedoms and protecting the way of life cherished and enjoyed by all Americans," Fenn said. "Freedom is not free, and with this observance, we are reminded of the price that has been paid and continues to be paid to protect the very ideals that are the foundation of this nation."
J-Six resident Paul Kertchum knows first-hand the heavy toll for democracy.
"Today I look back like many veterans on days where we were fighting for our lives, but more importantly we were fighting for our freedom," the World War II and Bataan Death March survivor said. "I think of the three-and-a-half years spent in various prison camps with little food and no medicine and always wondering if we would survive."
Kertchum took a moment to name several of his fellow soldiers, some of whom survived, and others who did not make it home.
Representing the Corporal George Salcido Detachment of the Marine Corps League, Don Swift read a speech titled 'Freedom,' written from the mind of a soldier at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.
"I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you, and it has stolen democracy from the people because once again you remained silent," Swift read. "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives you the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who gives you the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who allows you to demonstrate. It is the soldier, sailor or Marine who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag ... that allow the protestor to burn the flag in the misconception of free speech. And the public stands around defeated. Was all my suffering in vain?"
Swift went on to read the number of troops killed in every American war, along with the number of soldiers held captive and the number of soldiers who remain missing today.
Representing Vietnam War veterans, David Leonard also addressed the packed park in the 30-minute ceremony.
"Veterans Day is a solemn anniversary to honor the sacrifice that brought peace," Leonard said. "It is appropriate that Veterans Day honors those who have served our military. They sacrificed much to serve our country. We honor those who paid the ultimate price, those still missing, those held prisoner and those who have lived beyond their years of service."
One of the most moving parts of the ceremony came at the end when Hanson asked the audience if they wanted to speak. Benjamin Rounds, a local Boy Scout troop member, took the microphone.
With tears, Rounds said he appreciated veterans for what they have done, but also paid tribute to his father, who he said served in the military, but was killed in a car crash.
Other community events
In honor of Veterans Day, others in the community also celebrated the anniversary.
Besides letting golfers play for free, the Turquoise Hills Golf and RV also displayed the colors, decorating the 18-hole course with more than 2,000 miniature flags.
Ben Topper, a co-owner of the course, said other owners Art Bale, George Neff and the facility's groundskeeper are veterans, and it seemed fitting to do what they could to celebrate Veterans Day, and honor America's soldiers.
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| Neff's trial date continued to April |
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