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November 11, 2015, gives Americans the opportunity to honor the bravery and service of all the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military. Veterans it is your day. We salute you.
Can you think of one city or village in our area that doesn't have a veteran's post, many with 100 members strong. The majority of who make our lives and country a stronger, better world. Think about your veterans and what they have been up to just in the past year and you'll see what patriotism and service to community and country looks like.
Veterans take care of their own both on the battlefield and at home whether it is comrades in arms, family at home or a community member, friend or even a stranger - seemingly all veterans carry an extra load called patriotism and a sense of duty toward mankind in general - like no others. My viewpoint, but I'm sure shared by many.
Not all veterans are members of a Post but still are patriots with a mission - namely to make life better by their actions.
A recent poll shows that veterans are more likely to be involved than non-veterans in attending community meeting, fixing problems in neighborhoods, fill leadership roles in organizations. The study shows that 17.7% of veterans are involved in civic groups in comparison to 5.8% of non-veterans.
In the American Legion emblem, the wreath pays tribute to the fallen; two bronze rings pledge service to community, state, and nation; two gold rings symbolize care for veterans and youth; the star symbolizes victory in WWI. In sum, the blue and gold emblem stands for truth, remembrance, honor, service, rehabilitation, child welfare, loyalty, and Americanism.
Programs given by veterans for school children teach the value of all humans, the symbolism of our American Flag, love of our country with all it's different nationalities mixed in the melting pot that began almost 240 years ago.
I must mention Pastor Beryl Melcher, whom I've heard speak on Veterans Day giving a speech like no other can. He knows first hand what he is talking about as he is a veteran as well as someone who ministers to the people from a pulpit. The concepts and values upon which our country is founded are alive and well and will be for future generations who will remember his meaningful words.
I once heard Francis (Smitty) Smith, Commander of the VFW at Mineral Point, share words attributed to President Lyndon B. Johnson: "Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man."
There's plenty of tearing down our country. Hearing cynical news is just a matter of flipping a button, and when it's one veteran gone astray with a terrible crime - it seems to me the news is often sensationalized and too often facts aren't facts at all. Over my 40-plus years of writing stories and taking pictures of veterans - at countless events - I can't even wager a guess as to how many good deeds were performed nor in the telling of battles fought, how many lives were saved. But not once were any of these events given a huge hurrah nationally!
Men and women coming home from serving their country, thousands of dollars raised and given to organizations in their communities, in Mineral Point cars slow in order to view almost 300 flags gracing the cemeteries on certain holidays, in Dodgeville a veteran's memorial beside the Iowa County Courthouse speaks to passerbys, who often pause, perhaps to give thought to its meaning, perhaps to think of a loved one who died way too young while serving his country.
I often see a yellow ribbon tied around a tree or a lamp post and say a little prayer asking Godspeed and safety. Paul DeVoss will remember the night we welcomed home troops after their service in Desert Storm in Iraq. We stood in a circle and sang loudly.
Veteran groups across the land cherish the old verities of honor, courage, vigilance, service, sacrifice, and the rule of law. To the veterans I know these words are not merely old-fashioned ideals cosigned to the neglected pages of outdated history books. They are words they live by.
How many times have I seen Montfort's Post at Balloon Fest at Bloomfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Barneveld's Post under the direction of Jerry Williams - Ridgeway with Joe and Agnes Murphy, Dodgeville's Florence Wasley serving locally, county and state, Spring Green teaming with Arena in a special event, and all the rest. No, I can't remember a time any of these day to day activities of our veterans made national headlines. However, the importance of their acts here at home are IMMEASURABLE to us all.
I'll never forget Mineral Point American Legion Commander Ray Paynter's words: "We served for the thing which we have always carried nearest our hearts - world peace, so that our young people will not have to go to war."
How many times have you seen World War II veterans struggling to their feet when a color guard is retired - I see it's no problem at all to raise that arm - even all these decades later - and snap a smart salute.
POW's - Pepper Adams, John Keyes and Ed Wilgus - whom I interviewed - made me come away with a renewed sense of appreciation for what being in the Armed Forces really means.
I've only mentioned by name a few here, but these citizen-soldiers and all the rest of our veterans. I know are neither uncertain about what they stand for nor shy about declaring it to the world.
When I see a color guard marching in a parade, when I am or I hear someone singing The Star Spangled Banner, saying the Pledge of Allegiance or veterans performing military rites at a funeral, I get a big old lump in my throat.
A soldier once told me that on foreign soil, our flag is companionship and country itself. He was 19 years old when his leader was killed. He took over to save his buddies, putting himself in harm's way to do so.
Our flag's stripes of alternate red and white proclaim the union of 13 states constituting our national constellation, which received a new star with every new state. The two together signify union past and present. The very colors have a language which was officially recognized by our fathers. White is for purity, red for valor, blue for justice; and all together - stripes, stars, and colors blazing in the sky or at a special event - it speaks of heroes. THANK YOU VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE!