American Legion Salutes Veterans
By Julia A. Keirns
(This article was written for The Times Bulletin Newspaper in Van Wert, Ohio and published in November, 2018)
John Walls, President of the Trustees of the American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert spoke to a room full of Veterans and family members Sunday, November 11th in honor of those who have gone before them. Due to chilly weather with temperatures near freezing, the program was held inside.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is the commemoration of Armistice Day which marks the treaty signed between Germany and the Allies of World War I. After World War II seeing the greatest mobilization of armed forces in the nation’s history, veterans’ service organizations lobbied Congress in 1954 to strike out the word “Armistice” and change it to “Veterans” in order to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.
“Today we pay our respects to our current veterans, and to all veterans who paved the way before us,” began Walls.
A veteran is a person who served their country in any military service, and who wrote a blank check to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his or her life.
“As veterans, we swore an oath to this country,” continued Walls, “and our oath never expires. Many of us have already hung up our uniforms but our service continues. As a soldier, I remember the pride I had as I donned my uniform. I was filled with honor as I placed one leg at a time into my trousers. I often wondered about those who served before me, though their uniform different, if they too bore the same honor and pride while donning their uniform.”
When asked what they miss most about their service, many veterans will answer “brotherhood.” Veterans are part of the largest and most organized “fraternity” in the country. Most of them fought harder for the person beside them than they did for their own life.
“Today isn’t about special treatment or special thanks,” stated Walls. “None of us veterans feel that we did anything extraordinary. We simply felt the need to serve our country. We ask only for simple recognition to current and past veterans. Stand for the flag that many of our brothers and sisters came home under. Remove your hat during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem and place your hand over your heart. These simple acts of respect show us that you recognize our devotion to our comrades, our service to this country and the oath we swore.”
Remembering the heritage of the veteran, all those past and present who have paved the way for this great nation, is what Veteran’s Day is about. Following the comments of Mr. Walls, the cannon was fired by the American Legion Firing Squad along with a three-volley salute followed by the playing of taps. The three-volley salute is a ceremonial act, which originated in early wars where the fighting would cease long enough for the dead and wounded to be removed and tended to. Three shots would then be fired into the air to signal that the fighting could once again resume.
For a few moments on Sunday, the crowd at the American Legion Post 178 paused to remember their dead and their wounded, and then signaled for the fight to resume. The fight may be over for some, but the fight continues with those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces.