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Tribute to vets: American Legion hosts ceremony

By Staff | Nov 18, 2015

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN The flag is raised during last week’s Veterans Day ceremony in Lehigh.

The big old shade tree to the left front of the large outdoors stage at Veterans Park on Homestead Road was where the 200 or so crowded themselves while local service organizations celebrated Veterans Day last week. Others sat in the warm 80-plus degree sun for the hour-long ceremony that was hosted by the American Legion Post 323 and its Auxiliary.

But there was a light cool breeze for most of the ceremony which began at 11 a.m. exactly, as did Veterans Day ceremony across the county at each part of the nation’s time zones. And there was a reason why.

Of the many speakers, the presentation of the Colors, the raising and lowering of the American flag and its sister flag in memory of POWs in all wars, George Becker, a retired Navy chief in the submarine service, and past commander and chaplain of the American Legion’s local post in Lehigh, noted that it was in November of 1919 when President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: ‘To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism or those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations ‘ “

Becker continued: “Those veterans of World War I had believed they had accomplished what all United States veterans have since tried to do. We offer to fight for our country not to win wars but the end all wars and form a permanent and just peace. This goal has been partially realized by our greatest generation of veterans, they succeeded by disposing of Nazism and ending world wars for now over 70 years.

“My generation has fought the spread of communist aggression with mixed results, but the goal of an eternal and just peace must fall the future generations of our veterans.”

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Saluting while the National Anthem is sung.

John Bennett, commander of the American Legion Post 323 welcomed the large crowd to the ceremony and a heart whelming ceremony continued for one hour with several members of the post and others from other service organizations participated.

“Most veterans have distinct memories of ill lodging, discomfort, arbitrary rule and separation. It goes part and parcel with military life. But then there are those who face pain and death so others can be spared,” Becker continued with his special remarks.

He said that from Bunker Hill to Baghdad, there has always been a select group or Americans willing to fight and possibly die for a cause greater than their self-preservation. And while we set aside November 11 as a special day to honor and remember our veterans, we should continuously endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they have served their nation.

He said as Americans we must honor all of the veterans’ families and not just with Blue and Gold Star Banners, but with compassionate hearts. PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and life-altering war wounds not only affect the veterans, but can also take an enormous toll on the family as well.

“Sometimes all this is needed is a simple ‘Thank You’ directed at the veteran or the family member for his or her sacrifice. While fewer than 20 percent of American can claim the honorable title of U.S. military veteran, this special group often provides the vital services tha.t enable our communities to function.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN A bugler plays “Taps.”

He noted that many veterans now serve local police and fire departments and that when an emergency hits, there is a good chance that it is a veteran that is first to respond. School teacher, construction worker or first responder, military veterans take their missions seriously. They vote in higher percentages than nonveterans, and they are more likely to volunteer in their communities.

“Whenever we hear a politician rail about the high cost of veterans’ benefits, it is up to us to remind the critic about the high cost of being a veteran. It is a cost blood, sweat, and sacrifice that has produced and protected the greatest national earth.”

Veterans were invited to east at the American Legion Post following the ceremony.

Schools were closed and some business establishments like the U.S. Postal Service and the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber were also closed. In the crowd were people of all ages, including young Boy Scouts who listened intently to what was being said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Rifle salute to honor all veterans.

Tribute to vets: American Legion hosts ceremony

By Staff | Nov 18, 2015

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN The flag is raised during last week’s Veterans Day ceremony in Lehigh.

The big old shade tree to the left front of the large outdoors stage at Veterans Park on Homestead Road was where the 200 or so crowded themselves while local service organizations celebrated Veterans Day last week. Others sat in the warm 80-plus degree sun for the hour-long ceremony that was hosted by the American Legion Post 323 and its Auxiliary.

But there was a light cool breeze for most of the ceremony which began at 11 a.m. exactly, as did Veterans Day ceremony across the county at each part of the nation’s time zones. And there was a reason why.

Of the many speakers, the presentation of the Colors, the raising and lowering of the American flag and its sister flag in memory of POWs in all wars, George Becker, a retired Navy chief in the submarine service, and past commander and chaplain of the American Legion’s local post in Lehigh, noted that it was in November of 1919 when President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: ‘To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism or those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations ‘ “

Becker continued: “Those veterans of World War I had believed they had accomplished what all United States veterans have since tried to do. We offer to fight for our country not to win wars but the end all wars and form a permanent and just peace. This goal has been partially realized by our greatest generation of veterans, they succeeded by disposing of Nazism and ending world wars for now over 70 years.

“My generation has fought the spread of communist aggression with mixed results, but the goal of an eternal and just peace must fall the future generations of our veterans.”

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Saluting while the National Anthem is sung.

John Bennett, commander of the American Legion Post 323 welcomed the large crowd to the ceremony and a heart whelming ceremony continued for one hour with several members of the post and others from other service organizations participated.

“Most veterans have distinct memories of ill lodging, discomfort, arbitrary rule and separation. It goes part and parcel with military life. But then there are those who face pain and death so others can be spared,” Becker continued with his special remarks.

He said that from Bunker Hill to Baghdad, there has always been a select group or Americans willing to fight and possibly die for a cause greater than their self-preservation. And while we set aside November 11 as a special day to honor and remember our veterans, we should continuously endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they have served their nation.

He said as Americans we must honor all of the veterans’ families and not just with Blue and Gold Star Banners, but with compassionate hearts. PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and life-altering war wounds not only affect the veterans, but can also take an enormous toll on the family as well.

“Sometimes all this is needed is a simple ‘Thank You’ directed at the veteran or the family member for his or her sacrifice. While fewer than 20 percent of American can claim the honorable title of U.S. military veteran, this special group often provides the vital services tha.t enable our communities to function.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN A bugler plays “Taps.”

He noted that many veterans now serve local police and fire departments and that when an emergency hits, there is a good chance that it is a veteran that is first to respond. School teacher, construction worker or first responder, military veterans take their missions seriously. They vote in higher percentages than nonveterans, and they are more likely to volunteer in their communities.

“Whenever we hear a politician rail about the high cost of veterans’ benefits, it is up to us to remind the critic about the high cost of being a veteran. It is a cost blood, sweat, and sacrifice that has produced and protected the greatest national earth.”

Veterans were invited to east at the American Legion Post following the ceremony.

Schools were closed and some business establishments like the U.S. Postal Service and the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber were also closed. In the crowd were people of all ages, including young Boy Scouts who listened intently to what was being said.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Rifle salute to honor all veterans.