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Belmont Veterans Day service the largest by far
Sgt. Jamie Denslow leads the Northview High School band in musical honor to our nation’s veterans during a ceremony in Belmont on Veteran’s Day, November 11.
A ceremony in Belmont for veterans on this Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, was by far the largest held there, said Plainfield Township Supervisor George Meek. Meek read a description he found defining a veteran. He said a veteran is someone who has written a blank check in service of his country, payable up to his life. He then introduced State Representative Vern Ehlers.
Ehlers spoke briefly to the crowd, recognizing that the country now mourns the loss of 13 people at Ft. Hood, an act of cowardice. “It is unthinkable to face the loss of loved ones in the safety of our own forts,” Ehlers stated. He reminded the crowd of the heavy cost of war, and said the holiday was created in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I, the “war to end all wars.”
Plainfield Township Supervisor George Meek speaks during a ceremony at the Belmont veterans memorial on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov.11. Behind him are State Representative Vern Ehlers, Representive Tom Pearce and Senator Mark Jensen.
“It was such a horrible war, it was vowed at the 11th hour of the 11th month that we would never have another. That’s why Veteran’s Day is always November 11,” Ehlers stated. Veterans now comprise 20 percent of our country’s population. He spoke on the heavy burden of making political decisions regarding military action in times of war. “The toughest votes I cast in Washington are military.”
He said it is a time in our nation’s history where we are not safe on our own soil and have to fear attack. “Even in sweet Grand Rapids and our suburbs we are not safe,” he said. He told the crowd that of the six million Americans who will receive care from the Veterans Administration, 220,000 will have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ehlers said when the United States was attacked on September 11, we first responded with attacks in Afghanistan, since that was where the 9/11 attacks were initiated. “We should have stayed there longer instead of moving to Iraq too early and ended up fighting a major war there.” Ehlers challenged the crowd to thank veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe.
Meek further reminded all to remember those veterans who have never returned home or been accounted for in the wars through the years. He listed those who have been missing in action, and further mentioned Michigan military specifically. He said the bodies or locations of 361 from Michigan have never been recovered from the Korean War; from Vietnam, 53 have never been found; four from the Cold War; and one from Iraq. He also urged people not to forget the 600,000 people lost in the Civil War.
“Wherever you look, whoever you talk to, you will hear stories of war,” Meek stated.
Vern Ehlers speaks during the ceremony of the heavy burden of making decisions regarding military action during times of war.
Local Boy Scouts stand with their hands on their hearts during the playing of taps and a gun salute by the Sons of the American Legion Post 258 Color Guard.
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Scouts camp out at Whitecaps stadium
Members of Cub Scout Pack 3285 Crestwood School take part in the August 28 Whitecaps evening festivities. They are (front row, l–r) Jimmy Helm, Justin Fraula, Evan Coberly, Sean McLellan, Jason Andrus; (back) leaders Bill Helm, Guy McLellan and Greg Coberly.
Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts were honored by the West Michigan Whitecaps at their home game on Friday, August 28, for the service they give to our community. To begin the night’s festivities, leaders and kids joined together for a parade around the field. Various Scouts continued to assist with game-opening activities by throwing a ceremonial first pitch, escorting the players to the field and presenting the colors for the National Anthem. Following the game, the outfield became a field of tents as Scouts settled in for the annual Scout Campout and movie night on the stadium’s big screens.
PLAY BALL—Rockford’s Crestwood Pack 3285 is led by Jason Andrus carrying the pack flag during the Scout parade at the Whitecaps game.
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Scout earns badge
GOOD CITIZEN—Jordyn Thompson, 11, a soon-to-be fifth-grade student at Chandler Woods Charter Academy is pictured with Rockford Fire Chief Mike Reus. Thompson attended the regular Rockford City Council meeting on Monday, August 10, as part of his requirements to earn a Boy Scout merit badge for citizenship. Reus was showing Thompson the City’s newest fire truck, which had been delivered that day and will be in service this week.
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