One day of the year: a reminder of our freedoms and a time for veterans to tell our youth

[November 12, 2013]  It was a packed house with standing room only at the VFW hall on Fifth Street in Lincoln on Monday. On this Veterans Day, all present would be reminded of our freedoms and the scars and sacrifices of our soldiers that allowed for it.

As guest speaker, Pastor Mark Thompson of Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln quickly identified the crowd as a quiet bunch. He would soon tell everyone present that this should be the one day of the year when our veterans should talk, and we need to hear what they have to say.

Thompson explained how he was no stranger to service of country, as he followed family in that service. He had fond childhood memories of going to the VFWs with his grandfather while growing up: shuffleboard and proud comments with bags of blue chips cast before him by other veterans.

Thompson served as an Army chaplain in the National Guard and then in the Reserves. He was sent overseas one year after 9/11.

On opening, Pastor Thompson quickly described the impact of a soldier's experience on the family, saying it is also the wives or husbands and children who are left at home who are involved.

While Thompson observed that this day is typically a solemn remembrance and a time to say "Thank you!" to our soldiers and veterans, he reminded those who have served of the importance of their sharing what they did. "While no one likes a braggart," and most veterans come home and put their medals away and don't talk about what they did, he said: "It is important to place what you did before a young nation, so that they, too, will follow when called. We put on our uniform and went when Uncle Sam said, 'Go.'"

Following Pastor Thompson's talk, Jim Turley and Sara Sloan shared the background of "The American's Creed" and a reading of the creed.

Michelle Ramlow, post commander and emcee, said she didn't know how this document had escaped her awareness, but that "The American's Creed" would be a part of future Veterans Day remembrances.

Continuing in tradition, members of the ladies auxiliary laid the wreath, and the names of local veterans who died this past year were read: Kenny Davidson and Charles McCabe.

The day of remembrances and honor was closed by the traditional 21-gun salute and taps by the American Legion and then with a prayer by Pastor Thompson.

[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]