“Think of a time when you might have been cold, tired, wet, hungry, lonely, away from home, family and friends for as much as a year. Think of a veteran. Veterans served often in these circumstances.”
With these words, Captain Pat Roane, U.S. Navy (retired), described the dedication and sacrifice of veterans during the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 on the grounds of the Middlesex County Historic Courthouse.
Roane, of Mathews, was the keynote speaker in a ceremony to honor all veterans. “To our veterans, in case no one ever said it before, I say ‘welcome home.’ ”
Veterans, past, present and future, are all around us, said Captain Roane. “They’re our parents, grandparents, neighbors, teachers, students, colleagues, co-workers, supervisors and, most of all, our friends.”
Veterans “stood out in a crowd. They stepped to the front,” said Captain Roane.
“Young people continue to raise their hands and take the unconditional oath of service to the Constitution that guards the liberties of ‘we the people,’ ” he said. “They stand watch around the globe. They are already veterans. In the words of the late Admiral Arleigh Burke, ‘We couldn’t ask for more than that.’ ”
The common thread among all veterans is a commitment to service that is unconditional, without regard for personal gain, said Captain Roane. “On behalf of the veterans of our nation’s armed forces, all of whom are my brothers and sisters who serve their country with a devotion beyond measure, I thank you all for your time and support. It means a lot.”
Recognition
Dr. Darryl J. Pirok recognized the branches of the service that are listed on a courtyard monument that he noted was erected in 1991 through the efforts of his “mentors,” the late Buddy Moore and the late Gayle Anderton. “I am simply a messenger of the people who establish this perpetual reminder of the service of our veterans in the branches of the service,” said Dr. Pirok.
“I would like to add this point,” he continued. “This is not a stationary situation that we remember the past. This is an ongoing situation. We have veterans continuing to add their names to the list of those who served. And as time goes by we begin to recognize that some of the wounds they have suffered have not healed and need constant attention. We need to keep reminding and keep supporting the veterans as we go into the future.”
Rev. Gregg Faulkner gave the invocation. Middlesex Board of Supervisors chair Mark E. “Chip” Holt III was the master of ceremonies.
Also recognized were American Legion Post 82 Commander Paulette Burrell, and American Legion Post 241 Commander William Bagby. The ceremony was sponsored by American Legion Post 82 and Post 241, and Middlesex County citizens.
Wreaths placed
During Monday’s ceremony, wreaths were placed at a monument on the courthouse green that embodies the respect that a grateful nation bestows on those who gave of themselves for the good of all. Carved in stone are chiseled these words, “To them we owe our freedom.”
Urbanna Masonic Lodge 83 erected the monument on November 11, 1991 and a Veterans Day Celebration has been held there every year since.
Laying wreaths were U.S. Navy electrician’s mate third class Franklin “Buddy” Wyker; U.S. Air Force staff sergeant Richard Hanas; chief warrant officer of U.S. Coast Guard E3 William Taylor Sr.; and Dr. Darryl J. Pirok, representing those who owe a debt of gratitude to veterans. (debt?
Veterans saluted as a Marine Corps detachment from Fort Lee marched solemnly with an American Flag and Marine Corps Flag. Ashley Moore sang the National Anthem.
Dr. Bishop Carlton Johnson gave the benediction.
The combined bands of Middlesex High School and St. Clare Walker Middle School, under the direction of Daphne Guill and Fernanda Belby, performed a medley of the theme songs of service branches. The ceremony concluded with the trumpet call “Taps,” usually sounded at military funerals, memorials and to signal “lights out.”
