Veterans Honored

Heroes celebrated during Elkins ceremony

ELKINS -- A large group of area residents came out to pay tribute to those who served Monday morning as the H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion hosted its annual Veterans Day Celebration at the All-Veterans Memorial.  

Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 812 President John Miller opened the ceremony speaking about what makes Veterans Day special.

"I would like to thank everyone for showing up today," Miller said. "We like to come together on Veterans Day to observe and honor all the veterans who are living today, those from the past, and those who will follow.

"Today, Veterans Day is a celebration to honor American Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country," he noted. "Veterans Day is a day set aside to thank and honor all who have served honorably in the military, in war time or peace time."

Bob Grandusky from American Legion Post 29 then gave the invocation, and Miller led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. VFW Post 5583 Commander Tom Petrice then performed the lowering of the flag. 

The Highland Adventist School Chorus followed with a rendition of the National Anthem. Miller then introduced Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege as the mayor of the City of Elkins to come out to this ceremony every year and be part of it, and take that moment to thank our veterans," Marco said. "I am very proud that we have a community that gets together every year to recognize our veterans…

"To me it's very fitting that Veterans Day is on the same month as Thanksgiving. So when you're sitting around the table with your family, I hope you take time to thank God for your blessings and your freedoms."

Two guest speakers took part in the ceremony: Johnnie Ross, U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador to West Virginia, and Gen. David Cochran, Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard.

Ross said he was impressed with the celebration that Post 29 puts together for Veterans Day each year.

"I love the way the City of Elkins does this celebration each year, they do it right," Ross said. "Kudos to the City of Elkins and American Legion Post 29. Happy Veterans Day to everybody and it's good to see all the faces here today."

Ross went on to talk about how special it was to see the kids from the Highland Adventist School Chorus at the event.

"Thank you all so much for doing the National Anthem today," Ross told the students. "It means a lot for us to see and hear youth participate in today's events, so thank you once again… Veterans have earned an undying gratitude and we will never forget their sacrifices."

Cochran talked about veterans past and present and said he hopes communities like Elkins will continue to show their support.

"It is important that we all continue to support our veterans," Cochran said. "Communities need to show their support and their love for them."

Local military organizations performed the placement of the wreaths, and military honors were provided by the VFW Post 3647 Firing Squad and the American Legion Post 29 Color Guard. Roy Teets then performed TAPS, and the flag raising was done by Petrice. Grandusky then gave the benediction and the Highland Adventist School Chorus closed out the ceremony by singing "God Bless America."