American Legion Veteran’s Day program

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The American Legion hosted the annual Veteran’s Day program at the monument. Commander Ray Quinn welcomed everyone out to celebrate veterans. The Emery High band under the direction of Mr. Nobbe played patriotic songs as the audience gathered for the event.
Commander Quinn thanked all veterans who fought to preserve our freedoms.
Castle Dale elementary students sang patriotic songs including the Hope of American and God Bless the USA. Sarah Swasey sang a song called Welcome Home about veterans.
Col. Kurt Davis was the guest speaker for the event. He said it was a great day to be an American. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be here today to honor veterans. Rural America is great. Rural America has supplied the majority of veterans. I would like to thank the school kids, they truly are the Hope of America. That’s where it starts. Instill patriotism in the young. I would like to thank Sarah for that song, welcome home. Vietnam Veterans were not welcomed home as they should have been.
“Veterans display selfless devotion regardless of where they served. This day belongs to all of them,” said Col. Davis.
Col. Davis said he served in the Air Force. 11-11-11 is a national holiday to recognize all veterans. Veterans are proud of their service. Veterans face challenges, putting duty before self. The airmen are warriors. They answered our nation’s call. The Air Force separated from the Army in 1947. The Air Force has helped shape the world and contributed to our nation. In October of 1947 Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier, since that time countless others have broken barriers. New developments have shaped the world, GPS and other devices have made our lives better. Because we have reached beyond what we see, to see what might be. Airmen have provided deterrents and made the world a safer place.
“Calvin Coolidge said a nation that forgets its veterans will be forgotten. Here in Emery County, this day Veterans are not forgotten. If we remember veterans and talk about their lives and keep their names and stories alive, they will never die and be forgotten. It’s been a privilege to come down here. May God continue to bless this great country,” said Col. Davis.
Mack Huntington spoke next saying, “It’s a privilege to be here to honor the veterans. Thanks to the band and choir. We salute all vets. I want to thank the Emery County Progress and the Sun Advocate for their veterans display in the paper. There was a picture of four World War II veterans the Cox brothers. They had a fifth brother who didn’t come home. They have a sister Elaine Wilberg that is still here. I am grateful that I returned. I am grateful to be part of this country. We are all growing a little older and we need some younger members in the American Legion.
We owe a debt to our veterans from throughout history from the revolutionary war to 911 and conflicts in the middle east. The patriots and veterans who have answered the call to serve have preserved us as a nation from sea to shining sea. They did not ask what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country. Huntington recited the following poem.
It Is The Soldier
It is the Soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
Lou Sansevero added one more verse to the poem:
It is the Soldier, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
“Thank you Lou for your remarks this week in the Emery County Progress. They were very appropriate,” said
Commander Huntington.
Emery County Commissioner Keith Brady said he thanked the veterans for fighting in all the wars from the Revolutionary war to the war on terror. He likes the fourth verse of the National Anthem and recited it: O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
“America is the greatest nation on earth and freedom is and never will be free. Winston Churchill spoke of veterans and said never has so much been owed by so many to so few. May we all serve those in our country,” said Commissioner Brady.