BY JEFF B. FLINN Managing Editor
A standing-room-only crowd packed into Veterans Plaza on Saturday on Veterans Day, to honor those who have served the nation in its military branches.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. George Whittenberg addressed the crowd, including scores of veterans, hats atop heads, many in the uniforms and colors they proudly wore during their service.
“You answered the call of duty, knowing only that you would go where the nation needed you, regardless of the situation, in times of war and in times of peace,” he said. “We truly appreciate all of you who willingly put the good of the country ahead of your own.”
The event was co-hosted by the Pvt. Bruno Phillip Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 688 and the Capt. Mark “Tyler” Voss American Legion Post 313.
Trumpet player Jim Manzo opened the event with the National Anthem. Later, he played each of the military service organization songs -- “Anchors Aweigh” for the U.S. Navy, “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” for the U.S. Army, “The Wild Blue Yonder” for the U.S. Air Force, “The Marines’Hymn” for the U.S. Marine Corps and “Semper Paratus” for the U.S. Coast Guard – as veterans stood and were recognized during their service song.
“We’ll all step out of the uniform at some point,” Whittenberg said. “We don’t leave behind the attributes we learned in the military, such as duty, honor, respect, discipline and selfless service, when we hand in our uniform and become civilians. Veterans bring those attributes to the workforce, to their communities and to serve as an example for future generations,” he added.
The country and veterans’ hometowns are better places to live, because of their sacrifice and presence, he said.
“I encourage you,” he said, “to continue to use the skills and experience you gained from your time in the military to make positive impacts on your community every day.”
Manzo closed the day with the playing of Taps.
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