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Local veterans honored at program |
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Monday, November 09 2009 |
By BECKY HAND
Community editor
Whitley County is not without its heroes. In a photo montage of the fallen servicemen, Whitley County men gave their lives in places such as France, Holland and even Vietnam.
But Whitley County has heroes living among us: our surviving veterans, who served and returned to continue their contributions to their country in a more domestic way.
For the seventh year, the Peabody Public Library with the de la Balme Chapter of the D.A.R. has sponsored a program to honor the veterans of Whitley County, this year again it was at the Indian Springs Middle School.
A large crowd turned out for the event, many of them veterans and family members. The 38th Infantry Division Band Brass Quintet played patriotic songs and Cheyenne Saggars provided vocals for part of the photo montage.
The invocation and benediction were given by South Whitley VFW Commander James Yeager and Mayor Jim Fleck was on hand to commend the men and women who have served.
He began his speech by taking pictures of the audience, explaining he was assigned to take pictures of important people, and they were all important.
Around the back of the room were many tables with displays of military uniforms and souvenirs from many of the veterans’ experiences in the service.
These veterans were also shown in their Veterans History Project interviews.
Janet Scank, director of the Peabody Public Library, spoke of the importance of getting veterans’ interviews on video, so they can be saved for the future generations. She was proud to note that Indiana has contributed the most interviews at more than 8,500.
The Peabody library is sending these videos to Washington D.C. but is also keeping a copy here for citizens to view.
They are also available for viewing at the Web site: ppl.lib.in.us.
The veterans present were honored with their service anthem, played by the brass quintet; each branch standing as their song was played.
The families of veterans were also recognized and given a carnation, handed out by Faith Christian Academy students, who also said the pledge of allegiance and sang for the crowd.
The feelings of the participants and the audience were summed up at the end of the photo montage with this verse, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13, and in the poem “Remember,” recited by Janet Scank, which recalled the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.
E-mail community editor Becky Hand at
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Last Updated ( Thursday, November 12 2009 )
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