Veterans past and present honored on Fort Rucker

Veterans of wars both past and present were honored Nov. 10 during the Fort Rucker Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park.

Addressing the large crowd of veterans, commander of the United States Combat Readiness Safety Center Brig. Gen. William T. Wolf said, "a few of you might be a part of our nation's greatest generation, our World War II veterans. Still, more of you fought in Korea and Vietnam, and many more of you make up our nation's next greatest generation, the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Today is your day, a time to recognize and honor you for answering the call."

Veterans Day is the one day the nation joins together to collectively recognize the service of the country's brave service men and women, he said.

In honor of the sacrifices made by veterans past and present, Wolf and Command Sgt. Maj. Tod Glidewell laid a wreath in recognition of their service to the nation.

Wolf, who has served in the Army for 37 years, said the gesture is a small symbol of appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of America's soldiers.

"It certainly doesn't bring back the losses of soldiers we've had over the years or quell any of the turmoil the families had to deal with, but it does in a very small way recognize that sacrifice and that individual soldier," Wolf said.

The words "selfless" and "sacrifice" were heard often throughout the ceremony in regard to the soldiers, the families of soldiers and soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

Wolf said no matter what the reason for a soldier to enter into service, whether to complete a college degree or fulfill a family's noble tradition, they remain special people for answering the nation's call.

Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day, a day of commemoration of the end of World War I.

It was "a so called 'war to end all wars,'" Wolf said, adding if that idealistic hope had been realized, the Great War would have been the last and Nov. 11 would still be known as Armistice Day. "But sadly, as we know, our nation isn't ideal and the call to duty has come time and again since those optimistic days. The United States of America couldn't of survived without the service of our veterans and still we rely on our nation's military to do the hard work of our nation each and every day."

The country is entering its 11th year of war in the Middle East and since then, Wolf said more than one million men and women have volunteered their service to the nation.

"Today I remain in awe of the courageous men and women who even in the face of certain deployment ... continue to answer the call to duty," he said, adding it says a lot about the nation's youth today and why he calls them the nation's next greatest generation. "It's truly a humbling thing to be a part of. That number pays an amazing tribute to the enduring legacy of service our veterans have instilled in every generation of Americans."

While honoring those who have served, Veterans Day also honors those who never returned home from service and recognize the sacrifice of the families of service members. Holding back his emotion, Wolf said we mourn for the spouses and the children who will never get a hug from their mom for dad again and for the mothers and fathers who have endured the unimaginable pain of losing a child.

"I don't know the name of every soldier who has given his or her life for us, but I say thank you to them and most especially to the families for what they've sacrificed to our nation. They are truly representative of all that is good about our country," Wolf said.