Veterans honored at VFW Post 9094 observance

Members of VFW Post 9094 hosted a Veterans Day observance, Tuesday morning, highlighting the sacrifices made by all veterans and their service to the country.

A special guest, former 14-year Post Commander George Steward, was in attendance.

"Welcome back, George," Commander Rick Wilkin said to start the ceremony, as Steward's arrival was met with a standing ovation.

Post chaplain Harold Hurt opened the ceremony with an invocation remembering those who have served, followed by the posting of colors by the VFW Color Guard. Alberta Duncan led the crowd in the singing of the national anthem, and Wilkin, who served as master of ceremonies, conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.

Wilkin discussed the history of Veterans Day, dating back to Nov. 11, 1919, the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Post 9094 Ladies Auxiliary President Sherry Mills followed by reading an essay answering the question "what is a veteran?"

Mills cited an anonymous quote that describes a veteran as "someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to and including their life.'"

"Some answered the call of the draft," Mills said. "Some volunteered. It doesn't matter. Our dedication was in truth to each other."

Mills also quoted the popular phrase "All gave some; some gave all."

"If you are a veteran and are hearing this, you gave some," Mills said. "It falls on us to always remember those who gave all.

"This obligation will only be fulfilled when we have drawn our last breath."

Mills told those in attendance that they also have a duty to defend the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution and to fight against "ignorance, the enemy of freedom."

"Let us resolve to dedicate our lives to stamping out ignorance," Mills said. "The future of the nation is in our hands. If we dedicate our lives to liberty and freedom, then others can say of us, 'they gave all.'"

US Air Force Major (Ret.) Matthew Morrow was the featured speaker.

Morrow is a veteran of the Cold War, Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Quick Transit, Operation Joint Guard and Joint Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, NATO Stabilization Force and the Global War on Terrorism.

While in the Air Force, Morrow served as chief of police, chief of weapons, inspector general, correctional officer, convoy commander, nuclear security officer and in various other official and instructional capacities.

Morrow has 30 ribbons, campaign and service medals and seven different personal decorations, but he said that it was "just luck and timing."

"A veteran is a veteran is a veteran," Morrow said. "One year or 100 years, you have done something only six percent of America has done."

Morrow said that it is estimated that by 2040, only four percent of the country's population will serve in the military, and only 20 percent of Congress members have served.

"We are a dying breed," he said.

Morrow also told the crowd that he was proud to be among the "esteemed audience" who "earned the title of US veteran."

"It's an honorable title," Morrow said. "I'm so proud to wake up every day and have had the honor to do that. The title is yours, and it can't be taken away from you."

Morrow said that while he "embarrassed and disgusted" by the country's response to veterans of the Vietnam War, he is glad to see that Americans are beginning to show acceptance and respect for veterans of the war, "way too late."

He told a story of returning from Operation Desert Storm, where he and fellow soldiers were welcomed with "parades and patriotism." Among those in the crowd was a Vietnam War veteran, and Morrow and his comrades invited him to ride on the bus with them back to their base.

"That was the beginning of the acceptance we see now," Morrow said.

Morrow concluded by thanking Mills for using the "blank check" analogy in her speech. Morrow – who said he has a "government-issue prosthesis" – told her she was correct.

"We risked a lot, and some did give all," Morrow said. "I know I have another leg to give and two arms. I'm an old banged-up veteran, but we need to stay strong."

Morrow said that Americans need to continue holding such ceremonies to ensure that veterans aren't forgotten.

"We'll be in a sorry state when we lose that," he said.

Following Morrow's discussion, Duncan led the crowd in singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."

Russ Roever conducted the presentation of the MIA/POW table, where he discussed the various components of the table to symbolize the lives of those service members missing or captured.

The Highland County Veterans Honor Guard performed a 21-rifle salute outside the VFW building, followed by the playing of "Taps" by Alberta Duncan.

Wilkin concluded the ceremony by discussing the story of the late US Army Corporal Lonald Skeens of Palestine, Ky., who has survivors living in Highland County. Skeens was killed Sept. 3, 1950 during the Korean War at the age of 19. His remains were buried in South Korea and later interred in Hawaii, but were considered "unidentifiable" until recently.

Several weeks ago, Skeens' family members were notified that a positive identification was made using collarbone and chest X-rays. A military ceremony for a re-interment of Skeens' remains will be held in Johnson County, Ky.

"So we got one back," Wilkin said.

The ceremony ended following the returning of the colors by the VFW Color Guard and a benediction by Hurt. Lunch was then served, provided by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.