A 50-degree drizzle didn’t stop Macon County from honoring its veterans on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month this past Saturday.
The festivities started with a parade. Dozens of veterans from the Korean War era up through the modern conflicts took part, walking down Main Street to Town Square amidst claps and cheers. Some veterans came in full-dress uniforms, while others wore fatigues, and some opted for more casual attire. Regardless, veterans young and old made the walk to Town Square where the ceremony started at 11 a.m.
Master of Ceremonies Ron Norton started by claiming “both TV stations and the computer” said it wasn’t going to rain, hence why the event remained outside.
“Most of us from Macon County started our military career right across the street at the Trailways bus stop when we got drafted,” Norton said. “The drug store was the bus station and it pulled in right in front of that clock tower, and I remember getting on.”
The VFW and American Legion Honor Guard presented the colors of five flags - the United States of America, American Legion Post No. 108, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7339, Vietnam Veterans of America Post 994 and the black MIA/POW flag - as the bell tower chimed at 11 a.m.
The White Sisters sang the National Anthem, and then Norton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Norton told the crowd that Grace Johnson, who led the pledge at the event for many years, died this past year, and complimented her efforts over the years.
Rev. Dale Cannon, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, asked in prayer to remember the veterans who came back with injuries, both physical and mental.
After the White Sisters sang “God Bless America” and Norton recognized the dignitaries in attendance, Norton introduced the guest speaker. The scheduled speaker, VFW Post Commander Jerry Wallace, was unable to attend, so his brother-in-law Paul Armes, a retired Marine colonel, took his place.
“I was fortunate to grow up in Macon County, where duty, honor and valor were taught and practiced,” Armes said.
Armes said having served all over in his 30 years of service, he believes the United States is still the shining light of the world.
His three points were that Veterans Day was a day of remembrance for those who served or are serving in uniform, it’s a day of thankfulness for men and women who are ready to give their lives in service, and it’s a day of honor for those who fell in battles seen or unseen.
“It is my hope and aspiration and challenge to each one of us that all of Macon County and American veterans and non-veterans alike would live lives worthy of the sacrifices of those millions of veterans past, present, here, and those who continue their deployments all over the world that you honor today by your presence,” Armes said.
The White Sisters sang “America the Beautiful,” and to finish the ceremony, Air Force veteran Laurel Klonkowski and Army veteran Douglas Keyworth each laid a wreath at the Macon County Courthouse flagpole.
Following a 21-gun salute by the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter No. 994, Bill Talbot played “Taps.”