Veterans Day ceremony in Gaylord commemorates military service
GAYLORD — Starting with Fred Waugh and Fred Wizard from the Spanish American War (1898) to David Day and Matt West in Afghanistan (2001-2021), 56 veterans from Otsego County have lost their lives in service to their country.
On Nov. 10 at the Otsego County War Memorial in downtown Gaylord, they and every other veteran from the county were remembered at a special Veterans Day ceremony presented by the Ralph Holewinski VFW Post 1518.
The ceremony included the raising of the flag, Pledge of Allegiance, a history of Veterans Day, music by the Gaylord Middle School Band and Chorus, VFW Tribute presentations, a rifle salute and the bugle call of Taps.
U.S. Army Major (Retired) and Otsego County Commissioner Jonathan Turnbull was the keynote speaker.
"It’s a family affair for me as I and my wife, our two sons and daughter in-law all served in the military. Personally I think about those I served alongside each and every day, especially those that didn’t make it back home," said Otsego County Administrator Matt Barresi when asked what Veterans Day means to him.
Marlene Hopp, the county veterans service officer and director, added that it is important "to honor and thank veterans that served in the military services and to remember former members all who sacrificed to keep our country safe and strong."
Hopp believes that the ceremony in downtown Gaylord is important for the many veterans who reside in the county.
"This is a day of celebration and gratitude to veterans for our freedom and their service to our great country and of what they endured for us. Otsego County is a veteran-derived community and we are here to show our support and express our sincere thank you through various events and outreach efforts," she said.
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Barresi, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 until 2007, said Veterans Day is a unifying time for the community.
"On Veterans Day, seeing our country that at times seems divided on so many issues come together to honor our veterans helps remind us that at our core we are all still the United States of America," he said. "I think our local veterans see the tremendous outpouring of love and appreciation our community has for them and in the quiet of their thoughts say, 'I would serve again.'"
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918. In 1938, through an act of Congress, Nov. 11 was made a legal holiday.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Veterans Day ceremony in Gaylord remembers, salutes military service
