The Veteran’s from the Ferron American Legion presented a program at the Veterans Memorial in Castle Dale at the Museum of the San Rafael on Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day. The legionaires honored Veterans with a 21 gun salute. The Emery High band performed at the program playing the National Anthem and then a lone buglar played Taps.
Sam Singleton presented a tribute to Veterans. He said it has been nearly 400 years since the time the pilgrims reached the shores of America searching for religious freedom. “We are the benefactors of that search for freedom today. I believe in the United States of America without reservations as do all of you. I believe the United States of America is a place to work, rest, and to build dreams. America offers security for our loved ones. Our toil and our efforts are rewarded with unmatched abundance; here freedom lives. Here we can think and worship.
“May each of us have the wisdom and strength, with devotion great enough to measure up to America. Not long after America was established then the country of France wondered what made America so successful. French people visited the colonies and reported back that ‘America is great because America is good, if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great,” said Singleton.
Singleton reported on the number of casualties America has suffered in the wars the country has fought. In the Civil War there were 364,000 Union casualties and 198,000 Confederate casualties. In the Revolutionary War there were 24,400 casualties; in the Spanish/American War-2,300; World War I 116,700; World War II-407,000; Korea-36,500; Vietnam-58,200; Persian Gulf and Iraq-44,200.
“We have much to be grateful for and the sacrifices made for us. As I was driving over this morning. I was admiring the beauty of our mountains and deserts. We have all seen the sun set and the moon rise, but the fairest vision is the flag of our country. It’s as beautiful as a flower to those who love it. It is a symbol of power and glory. The color red in the flag stands for courage and the white, purity and blue is virtue. I know you, like me, thrill when the flag passes by,” said Singleton.
Singleton read the poem engraved on the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York.
Emma Lazarus’ Famous Poem
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
The Veteran’s Day program ended with refreshments provided by the Emery County Historical Society.
Local Veterans observe Veterans Day
"Emery County Veteran's observe Veteran's Day at the Veteran's Memorial at the Museum of the San Rafael. From left: Ray Wareham, Ray Quinn, Philip Nelson, Kent Petersen, Lou Sansevero, Ron Wright, Perk Allred, Bryce Syndergaard, and George Hendrickson."