Thank You, Veterans
A member of the Henderson County Honor Guard participates in Thursday's salute to veterans.
Leigh Wills
A crowd of people gathered in front of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Thursday morning to honor members of the nation's military, past and present, on Veterans Day.
Led by master of ceremonies Shuford Edmisten, the ceremony featured a keynote speech by retired Air Force Col. William "Bill" Stanley of Hendersonville, who reminded people that it is U.S. veterans who make it possible for Americans to have the liberties they enjoy every day.
Stanley, wearing his Air Force uniform said, "It's the veteran who has preserved our freedom of religion, not the preacher. It's the veteran who has preserved our freedom of the press, not the reporter. It's the veteran who has preserved our freedom of speech, not the poet. It's the veteran who has preserved our right to assemble, not the campus organizer. It's the veteran who has preserved our right to a fair trial, not the lawyer. It's the veteran who has preserved our freedom to vote, not the politician."
Edmisten called Stanley "a true American hero." Stanley, who has lived in Hendersonville since 1993, spent 30 years in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and commander. He has flown 5,500 hours in fighter aircraft, including 200 combat missions in the Vietnam War.
"He was downed over North Vietnam on his 191st mission and rescued a day later," Edmisten said.
During his remarks, Stanley told those gathered at the courthouse to remember all veterans, not just those who have fought on the field of combat.
"Please remember this: The veteran we salute and appreciate is also one of the many who were or are serving in support roles and did not fire a shot of any kind," he said. "The administrative soldier, the maintenance man or woman, the supply officer ... the intelligence officer. All of them have served and are serving."
Stanley said he was told that for every 200 people in U.S. combat roles there are 400 in support roles. "Some of our deserving veterans may not be eligible for the American Legion, the DAV, or the VFW, but they have served honorably. They are veterans," Stanley said.
The ceremony also included the presentation of wreaths by a variety of veterans groups and vet-related organizations. The East Henderson High School JROTC was on hand to perform a flag-folding ceremony and to educate the audience about the symbolism associated with the folding of the Stars and Stripes.
U.S Rep. Heath Shuler spent the day visiting with veterans at the VA Hospital in Oteen. He sent a representative from his office to Henderson County's ceremony, who read a letter from the congressman.
"The greatness of our country has been determined in no small part by the tremendous contribution of your service," Shuler said in his letter to Henderson County's veterans.
It was also announced that a local veteran will soon be selected as Henderson County's representative at a new state park that pays tribute to those who have served in the armed forces. Mike Murdock, the veterans service officer for Henderson County, announced that on November 17 the county will decide which Henderson County veteran will be honored at the new $18 million state veterans park in Fayetteville. The park, slated to open in 2011, will contain a Wall of Oath that recognizes the service of a veteran from each North Carolina county.
"This Wall of Oath will include a bronze hand casting of the right hand of one veteran from each county in North Carolina. They've asked us to select a veteran that best represented the veterans in our community," Murdock said. "They also asked us to nominate four other citizens of the county to represent the support of our veterans."
Murdock said a veterans advisory committee has selected a name out of a dozen nominations as well as the four supporters. Those names have been sent to the county commissioners for approval. Murdock said the commissioners are scheduled to consider the names at its November 17 meeting.
Email
Print
Feed
