Grand Island ceremony honors all veterans

Grand Island Dispatch, November 13, 2009
by Michael J. Owen
U.S. Navy Journalist (Ret.)

Local veterans groups and government officials met at the veterans memorial
on Bedell Road for the annual Veterans Day observance. (photo by Chip Rupp)

A young Marine is shot by enemy sniper fire while trying to help a child in Afghanistan. A U.S. Army soldier loses his leg to an improvised explosive device along a lonely village road in Iraq while on patrol. A U.S. Air Force pilot, four decades earlier, is shot out of the sky over the jungles of Vietnam. More U.S. troops take enemy fire while pinned down in foxhole on a frigid moonless night in Korea. During World War II, after a Navy ship is torpedoed by an enemy submarine, the crew waits helplessly in shark-infested waters for an air-sea rescue. Also in 1944, a Coast Guardsman steers an amphibious landing craft toward the beaches of Normandy, France, on D-Day while under heavy enemy fire. And presently deep in the North Pole, with temperatures at least 50 degrees below zero and wind chills of 90 below, a Coast Guard icebreaker patrols the Arctic Ocean keeping shipping lanes open and conducting search and rescue operations. These are just a few examples of America’s veterans serving around the world in peace and war, past and present.

“Veterans Day reminds us of all those who served and serve today, whether overseas or on the home front,” said Carilyn Chauby at the Grand Island Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday. A teacher at Kaegebein Elementary School on Grand Island, she brought her fourth-grade class to the ceremony. “Some of these kids don’t know what Veterans Day is all about. They also need to know about their service and sacrifice and how this helps to keep America free,” she added. “This day reminds us all that freedom isn’t free,” she said.

On a cool, yet sunny morning, flags and spirits flew high as supporters gathered at 11 a.m. for the ceremony at the Veterans Park Memorial Wall. Traditionally, the day honors all military personnel and living veterans, yet a moment of silence was also observed for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and those at Fort Hood affected by last week’s shooting. The origin of Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, dates back to the end of World War I, when hostilities ceased at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).

Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of the included colors by the Island’s honor guard from American Legion Post 1346, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 168 and visiting DAV Roll of Honor 120 Chapter from Kenmore. As town officials, veterans and other supporters gathered at the park along Bedell Road to pay honor, Cub Scout Pack 630 also joined in the ceremony, beside the service flags of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post 9249 Honor Guard also stood ready with their weapons. During the Presentation of the Wreath, post commanders from the American Legion, VFW and DAV assembled at the wall offering the respect of a grateful nation. This act of honor is also conducted by the president at Arlington Cemetery on this day.

As the VFW fired off a 21-gun salute in “A Salute to the Fallen,” the crackle of gunfire echoed across the Island in remembrance. The loud bursts were silenced only by the lingering and haunting sounds of “Taps” performed by buglers from the Grand Island High School Concert Band, Michael Chauby, 17, and Nicholas Ernst, 17. While most visitors brought their right hand to their heart, those in uniform snapped to with a military salute. Among the many veterans who wore patches, jackets or hats symbolizing commitment to their veteran’s organization or military service, some stood proudly wearing the military uniform they once served in.

Other ceremony highlights included the Pledge to the Flag and Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, who spoke of service to country and those killed or wounded at Fort Hood last week. He also thanked Linda Tufillaro of the Recreation Department for helping to set up event. Additionally, VFW Chaplain Michael Rogan gave the invocation and benediction. After the ceremony, participants mustered at the VFW Post. Guests were then warmly greeted for a free brunch, hosted by the “dedicated and hard-working” VFW Ladies Auxiliary at the post. 

Also, children from Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Tonawanda sent colorful school-made cards of appreciation to the VFW thanking all veterans that have served and still serve today around the world. See more on what they wrote in next week’s Dispatch.

Veterans Day dates back to WWI

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on Nov. 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918, (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all Wars,” Nov. 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe and the Pacific. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four-hundred-seven-thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Honors All Veterans

By realizing peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress dedicated the day to honor those who served America in all wars. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.

 On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

Additionally, the salute is expanded to a week, as National Veterans Awareness Week. During veterans’ events and in local places of worship throughout the year, participants are encouraged to wear their uniform and medals. Deepest gratitude, appreciation and prayers go out to all those helping to preserve our freedom while serving around the world today, especially in harms way.