Veterans honored for their self-sacrifice

Taps echoed throughout the Enterprise Civic Center Nov. 10 as veterans from across the Wiregrass stood together in remembrance of those who sacrificed their own self-interests to serve our nation.

The melody was the finale of evening dedicated to honoring veterans representing more than 50 years of conflict.

Lt. Col. Ron Ells, commander of the 1-212th Aviation Regiment, urged local residents to remember what it truly means to be a veteran and the importance of celebrating the historic holiday during the annual Veterans Day ceremony.

"For most people the word veteran evokes images of a father, an uncle, a grandfather or some distant relative who fought in a war long ago and far away. There are even some whose thoughts are taken to old men in different-looking hats who are the first to stand up and salute when the U.S. flag passes by in a parade or when the national anthem starts," he said. "But we all know these images capture only a fraction of what the time-honored holiday represents."

Veterans include all who have sacrificed to serve in the nation's armed forces, not only those who have served in combat.

"A veteran is one of more than 23 million men and women who have served in the armed forces. So while it may be easy these days to focus on the courageous men and women who continue to amaze us with their heroic actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, we must not forget to honor those who set the conditions for our country to develop into the greatest nation on the planet," Ells said.

A decade of conflict has "shed light on the ever-changing face of the American veteran," he said.

The American veteran, from age 19 to 99, is not someone who has served in war, but is one of the 23 million people who have sworn to serve the country in the United States armed forces.

"From a 17-year-old infantryman fighting in Iraq to a 75-year-old Army surgeon deploying to Afghanistan to the last of the World War I veterans who passed in February at the age of 110, this most recent period of conflict has also ignited a camaraderie and bond among veterans that some didn't enjoy at the end of previous conflicts," Ells said. "Whether it is the vow of Vietnam veterans to never let another generation of warriors return home to anything less than respect and honor or the numerous veterans organizations assembling those miles-long roadside homages to fallen heroes as their funeral processions wind toward their final resting place. Or the countless veterans of multiple of wars who mobilize to protect the dignity of military funerals through organizations like the Patriot Guard riders. Veterans from 19 to 99 are banding together like never before to honor those who have served and continue to serve."

Just as veterans have bonded together for one another, Ells said the public should also band together to show each veteran their gratitude.

"Never underestimate the value of a simple ‘Thank you,'" he said.

The Veterans Day festivities kicked off with about 45 parade entries that honored those who have fought for their country and placed service before self.

Hundreds of people lined Main Street applauding as veterans representative of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and present conflicts marched through downtown Enterprise.

For about seven months, members of local chapters of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, representatives of Fort Rucker and Enterprise joined forces to plan the historic parade to honor local service men and women.

The parade, said DAV Chapter 9 commander Laird Culver, is an opportunity to honor the community's veterans of the past and the present.

The parade is an opportunity to solidify the relationship between veterans and the city.