Veterans Day Celebration
American Legion Post 29 honors heroes
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ELKINS – A large crowd gathered under sunny skies on Wednesday morning as American Legion H.W. Daniels Post 29 hosted its annual Veterans Day celebration at the All-Veterans Memorial.
The event is offered each year in remembrance for all those who have served in the military, past or present. Former American Legion Post 29 Commander John Miller opened the ceremony and talked about the importance of Veterans Day.
“This is our day to remember those who served, and those who are still serving around the world,” Miller said. “Let us not forget and always say thank you to all of them.”
Post 29 Chaplain Bob Grandusky followed Miller’s intro with an invocation, and the Highland Adventist School Chorus performed the National Anthem. The Elkins High School Key Club then led those attending in the Pledge of Allegiance.
After the lowering of the flags by the Honor Guard, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco addressed the veterans, guests and local leaders who came out for the special event.
“I want to thank all of the veterans who are here in attendance,” Marco said. “Thank all of you who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice and are not able to be here. Thank you to the families who sacrifice while your family members are overseas and serving. Thank you to this community and those of you who showed up today and took time out of your busy schedule to pay respect to our veterans.”
At the conclusion of Marco’s comments, Miller introduced the guest speaker for the event, Jonathan Schafler, a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Schafler served for more than 20 years in the Coast Guard Reserve, advancing from an enlisted service member to a commissioned officer.
“It is indeed an honor to stand before you today on Veterans Day and to give thanks to those who gave everything in service to our country,” Schafler said. “To those who served and returned home and to those who continue to wear the uniform today. We gather to remember sacrifice, we gather to recognize duty, and we gather to celebrate a country that, for all of its imperfections, remains worth defending.”
After Schafler’s speech, the West Virginia Highlanders performed a Military Medley before the Placement of the Wreaths, which is a traditional sign of respect, honor and remembrance for the service and sacrifice of military personnel. Military honors were then performed by a combined firing squad and the American Legion Post 29 Color Guard. Taps was played to honor fallen service members, and a moment of silence was observed.
The Highland Adventist School Chorus then sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and the West Virginia Highlanders performed “Amazing Grace” before Grandusky gave a benediction and the ceremony concluded with the raising of the flags.
“Be thankful for those who served before us, for those who serve today, and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice,”Schafler said during his speech. “Be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy today, the communities we call home, and the opportunity we still have to make this country better.”