Harlan Kirgan
Honoring those who have served and are serving the military resonated at the Veterans Day ceremony held at VFW Post 8971 on Monday.
Guest speaker state Rep. Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, said, “It is because of their dedication and sacrifice that we celebrate Veterans Day.”
DeVillier, the representative for District 41, said those who served “...placed country above self” and “determined that the safety and security of others as more important than their own and who have done their duty by taking their place in line just as generations of military men and women have done before them.”
The Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the VFW included Eunice High School band students, FFA members, veterans and the families and friends for the event that ended with a gumbo lunch.
The 11 a.m. start time commemorates the ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
Armistice Day was originally celebrated until 1954 when the event was recognized as Veterans Day.
The day recognizes the 22 million veterans and active service members who served the country, DeVillier said.
Every generation of Americans owes a debt of gratitude to the patriots who have served, DeVillier said.
“Our military stands ready to do whatever is needed to defend our nation just as those here at the VFW stand ready to provide them with the support and assistance they need longer their service is over,” he said.
DeVillier said freedoms in the United States such as speech, press, religion, assembly, owning a firearm, are protected by those who serve in the military.
“For every single man and woman who has donned a uniform today is their day to stand and be recognized,” he said.
Kenneth Manuel, commander of the Disabled American Veterans, told veterans, “It is your service and sacrifice that has kept our country safe and free. No matter which branch you served in, whatever job path you took or how many years you served, you are still a veteran. You committed yourself to the service of the military and that was a brave and selfless act and we thank you for that.”
Manuel noted those who served were not guaranteed where they would be assigned or deployed “and in some cases if you would return home in one piece or not at all.”
For those disabled by their service, Manuel said they should not think of themselves as broken. But he did urge those with medical issues to come forward.
“We can’t take care of you if we don’t know who you are,” he said.
Don Reber, commander of the VFW Post, and David Crader, commander of American Legion Post 129, urged those who have served to join their organizations.
“We want you to be part of our membership,” Reber said.