11/14/11 The message for those attending the Veteran’s Day services held at the Marshall County Courthouse lawn was two-fold–remember those who passed and take care of those who survived.
Speaking for the event was veteran Julian “Jud” Rouch. He began his comments saying, “Greetings to you on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011.
In speaking of veteran’s, Rouch first asked, “Where did they serve? On land, air, sea, underwater, jungle, and the desert.”
Secondly, he asked, “Where are they now?” With the American Legion, VFW, DAV, USSVI, and Rolling Thunder.” He then asked that Americans take care of their friends and neighbors saying, “Some are doing well. Some need our help.”
According to Rouch, Veteran’s Day falls on November 11, the anniversary of the cease fire that ended World War I. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.
The Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, was signed into law on May 26, 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower and changed to Veteran’s Day.
Rouch said, “Do we sometimes overlook some of our veterans?” He then asked to remember those of the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Cold War, Granada, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He referred to the Korean War as the forgotten war, Viet Nam as the unappreciated war, and the cold war as the unknown war.
Rouch said, “An American veteran is an individual that at some time in their life made a contract with the U.S. government to give anything asked of them, up to and including their life.”
Others participating in the ceremony were John Paisley, Mayor Mark Senter, and Father Kummar. Those presenting the commemorative wreathes included Art Jacobs, Chris Spier, Carl Collier, Bruce Bottorff and Bud Ross.
The firing squad under the command of Julian Keiser, Carl Collier, and Bud Ross is a joint group including members from the VFW, Dave and American Legion.
Carol Anders Correspondent
