| Bruce, Calhoun City Honor Veterans With Services |
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By JOEL McNEECE  "For the first time since Vietnam we have thousands of young veterans in this country right now," Dr. Young said. "Even here in Calhoun County. I encourage you to sponsor these young people. Those serving in Iraq right now, send them cards, letters, care packages, you can't imagine how much that means to them."Dr. Young, a retired colonel with the U.S. Army after more than 40 years of service and former Bruce Elementary principal, was the featured speaker at the Bruce program. He noted the long lineage of military service within his family, including his mother. "I relish my memories of my time in the military," Dr. Young said. He spoke of his brother Gary who was killed in Vietnam. "Many of us have lost family and friends while serving in the military," Dr. Young said. He referenced the many veterans of past wars who die each day around the country who deserve "our respect and thanks." "I ask that you remain active in veterans' organizations," Dr. Young said. "Stay involved however you can." "I want to pay special tribute to those who stayed behind – our parents, spouses, children and friends. My  experience is that it can be much harder on those that stay behind than the soldiers leaving for war," Dr. Young said. "I knew where I was and that I was alright. They could only wonder."Former Mayor of Eupora and expected Republican candidate for Congress Henry Ross was the featured speaker at Calhoun City. Ross said this nation is one born of sacrifice. He referenced the Continental Army and their many sacrifices during the American Revolution. "That was only the beginning of sacrifice in our country," Ross said. He named many of the famous battles throughout American history where soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Ross quoted Thomas Jefferson saying, "The tree of Liberty needs to be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots." "The men and women of America have answered again, again, and again the call for sacrifice," Ross said.  He then asked the large crowd on the square what have all these sacrifices been for? He said so many of these soldiers who gave so much wouldn't believe after their sacrifice that kids today couldn't pray in school; that in 2008 we were within one vote on the Supreme Court of losing our right to bear arms; that this country would be in debt to the world for more than $12 trillion; that our government would be attempting to make our medical decisions for us; and that we would subjugate ourselves to foriegn oil interests rather than drill off our own shores."We're here today to honor veterans," Ross said. "But do we truly honor veterans by sending gutless politicians to Washington." Ross said the Supreme Court isn't doing its job when "we" can't put out the 10 commandments at the courthouse or a manger scene at city hall. "We've got to decide as a country which route we're going to take, the one of our founders or the ones of 2009 with the government deciding what rights we'll have," Ross said. "If we don't have the courage to stand up for the rights these people died for then we don't deserve our freedom," Ross said. Cortez Moss, of Calhoun City, who works with Con. Travis Childers office, also spoke at the Bruce ceremony.  "Con. Childers asked that I express our thanks to all veterans," Moss said. "We celebrate Veterans' Day one day a year, but we encourage you to celebrate our veterans every day. Show them how much we appreciate their service."Joy Gosa, representing the 858th National Guard Support Group, offered an update on how the local troops are doing on their current mission in Iraq. She said they "are fine" and have several projects ongoing. She said they have already earned numerous awards for their performance. She said living conditions are "bearable." The soldiers live in 2-person rooms and do have access to phones and wireless internet. She said they also have access to a number of fast food restaurants on base. She thanked everyone for their support of the troops and their families and encouraged all to stay involved with the support group. Michael Watkins made a presentation to Gosa on behalf of the Calhoun City and Bruce Rotary Clubs and the Calhoun Endowment Foundation of $1,200. Other highlights during the two ceremonies included the singing of the national anthem by Mamie Tedford in Bruce and Tim Hardaway in Calhoun City. Col. Edwin Boland, USAF, retired, also sang "America The Beautiful" at the Calhoun City program. Bruce program emcee Jerry Janci read several passages from the diary of his uncle who served in  World War II as a fighter pilot. Janci said one of his cousins is in the process of writing a book from the diary.Mr. and Mrs. Billie Hitt, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12032 and Auxiliary, placed the official wreath on the Calhoun City Veterans' monument. Both services concluded with the playing of "Taps."
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