A large crowd gathered around the All Veterans Memorial in Elkins to pay tribute to those who have served America in the armed forces. The event kicked off with a welcome from All Veterans Memorial Council Chairman Jeff Wood who thanked everyone for attending.
The Highland Adventist School Choir then sang the national anthem for those in attendance.
After a short invocation from Vietnam Veterans Chapter No. 812 Chaplain Pastor Terry Cannon, Elkins City Councilman Bob Woolwine, 1st Ward, welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the city.
Wood then introduced speaker retired U.S. Air Force Col. Dennis W. Yamrose Jr. Wood said Yamrose logged more than 50,000 hours of flight during his career and was a pilot instructor at two bases. Yamrose is the current Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Lewis County High School.
Yamrose said those who have served and still serve need to be shown appreciation.
"They serve so that each of us can live in peace and prosperity," Yamrose said. "They serve because they know the price others would have to pay in the future.
"Terrorist attack attempts will continue," he said. "We must never give up on the ideals of freedom that our veterans sacrificed to protect. Today and everyday, thank a veteran for what they do and have done. Do not tolerate anyone that shows them any disrespect."
Following Yamrose's speech, military honors were conducted with the VFW Post No. 3647 firing squad and the H.W. Daniels American Legion Post No. 29 color guard. Taps was played by VFW Post No. 3647 Bugler Roy Teets Jr. The Highland Adventist Choir then led the crowd in signing "America the Beautiful."
More than 75 people blanketed the Tucker County All Veterans Memorial Thursday to remember those who have protected our country in the line of duty during times of war and peace.
A special moment came about when Vickie Mason introduced two veterans who have a long history together. John Gordon Hendrick of Davis and Richard Mauzy of Parsons met at Fort George Mead in 1945. Both were members of the United States Air Force and reunited Thursday after 65 years.
During the ceremony, Parsons Mayor Dorothy Judy spoke about the importance of remembering those who have paid the ultimate price to protect our country and reminded everyone that it is the soldier who keeps our nation free.
Anne Jones, representative of Piton Inc., told the group to remember that soldiers returning to civilian life need assistance. Piton Inc. supports military personal making the transition from a military life to a civilian life. More than 40 percent of American soldiers are from rural areas such as West Virginia, Jones said.
After 10 years with the U.S. Air Force Special Forces, Pastor Neil Precht now serves his community as the pastor at St. George United Methodist Church. Speaking of soldiers who paid the ultimate price, Precht said, "Freedom comes with a high price."
Veterans groups in Barbour County celebrated Veterans Day with a variety of activities including observances at each memorial park, a parade through downtown Philippi and a ceremony at the Philippi City Building.
Members of American Legion Post 44 began the morning with ceremonies at the Vietnam Memorial Park, the World War I and II Memorial at the Barbour County Courthouse and the Korean War Memorial Park.
Following the ceremonies, a parade marched through downtown Philippi with several organizations participating including the Philip Barbour High School, Philippi Middle School and Kasson Elementary/Middle School marching bands, along with the local 4-H groups, dignitaries and members of the VFW and American Legion.
Many members of the community lined the streets of Philippi to watch the parade pass through. Among those, WWII veterans Charlie and Pam Ketchum enjoyed seeing their fellow veterans proudly display their patriotism.
"I remember coming back here after the war was over and seeing all the boys I grew up with," Charlie Ketchum said. "They all made it back and it was wonderful."
Charlie Ketchum, now 87 years old, met Pam in England while they were both serving active duty in WWII. Charlie was in the Army and Pam was a decoder in the British navy.
After his second wife passed in 1995, Charlie Ketchum begun looking for Pam by posting advertisements in British newspapers. After reconnecting, the two got married about seven years ago.
"I started looking through my mother's old footlocker and found a picture of her," Charlie said. "I just started looking for her and the third time I found her. I advertised in all the papers that would listen to me. I had a picture. Finally, a historian located her and got the message to me. I had her name spelled wrong. That's why I couldn't find her."
Ketchum said about 90 percent of all WWII veterans have passed away. He said observing Veteran's Day is "a wonderful" way to celebrate the men and women who have served in the United States military.
"I think it's wonderful that we get to see each other at least once a year," Charlie Ketchum said. "It brings back a lot of memories. Everybody has their little pet memory they like to tell and it's really great."
Following the parade, an observation ceremony was conducted at the Philippi City Building. American Legion Post 44 Commander Ronald Cleavenger welcomed several military guests and their families.
"If it wasn't for the veterans, we would not have the rights and freedoms that we have today," Cleavenger said. "They risked their lives for us everyday they were in service. If not for them, we might be under Hitler's rule or some other dictator. We all should give thanks to our American veterans.
"It really give me a good feeling to see the veterans out here today. I get a warm, heart felt feeling deep inside. Sometimes it makes me feel like I'm going to break down. Having all these guys show up is really wonderful," Cleavenger said.
Also during the ceremony, PBHS students Amanda Ware, Kayla Poling and Jennifer Triplett spoke briefly about their experience at Girl's State. The Highlanders provided musical selections and Valli Davis sang the National Anthem.
The commander of Weston's American Legion Post 4 recalled a statement by President Calvin Coolidge that urged citizens to never forget those who defended the country, telling a gathering on the steps of the Lewis County Courthouse Thursday that "a nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
Marty Dennison, the keynote speaker during Veterans Day festivities in Weston, said saying thanks to those who served is the least any American should do. He said the country's military men and women have made great sacrifices in their lives as they heed a call to duty. Many have been separated from their families for an extended period, forcing them to miss special moments. They have braved the elements and other dangers, and far too often, lost limbs and life.
"We must be there to support not just the families of the fallen, but also the loved ones of those still deployed and those who return permanently changed by the wounds of war," Dennison said. "When an American Legion Auxiliary members asks for a donation for a poppy, remember the Korean War veteran in a hospital bed. When a member of Congress complains about the cost of a veterans' program, remind the lawmaker of the cost of being a veteran."
Not all of those who served faced the horrors of combat, Dennison said, but they shared a bond with those who did because of their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in defending America.
"Perhaps most significant in preserving our way of life are those battles America does not have to fight," he said, "because those who wish us harm slink away in fear of the Coast Guard cutter, the Navy aircraft carrier or the Army soldier on patrol."
Dennison said some of the real tragedies occur when those who fight to keep us safe in our homes often have no home to return to. He said 23 percent of the country's homeless population is made up of veterans, and that 89 percent of those people were honorably discharged from service.
"America owes these heroes a debt that cannot be fully repaid," he said. "In a celebrity-obsessed culture where shows like 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'American Idol' generate large followings, it is important to remember just who the real stars of America are. Veterans Day is a time to honor not just the heroes, but all of the outstanding men and women who served in our nation's armed forces since our founding more than 234 years ago."
A large crowd lined Main Street in Buckhannon Thursday for the annual Veterans Day Parade, just one of many events county officials planned to honor our nation's servicemen and women. The parade, which began at the Charles Gibson Library on East Main Street and ended at the courthouse, featured floats, marching units consisting of area scouting groups, active service members, veterans and the pride of Upshur County, the Buckhannon-Upshur High School Band.
Following the parade, a free luncheon was served at the VFW Home for veterans and the public. During the luncheon, the choir from B-UHS sang patriotic songs to entertain the crowd.
On Saturday their will be a Veterans Day program at the All Veterans Memorial at Rock Cave beginning at 11 a.m. Also on Saturday, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 36 will host its annual turkey dinner at the DAV Home on the Alexander Road from noon to 6 p.m.
(Staff Writers Anthony Gaynor, Ben Simmons, Gary Mallonee and John Wickline and Staff Photographer Grant Jones contributed to this story.)
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