Cool but comfortable temperatures and sunny skies brought out one of the best crowds in years for Monday’s Veterans Day program held on the steps of the Perry County Courthouse.
Following a parade featuring members of various local veterans’ groups, along with the St. Vincent and Perryville High School marching bands that made its way down North Jackson St. to the courthouse grounds, the program, emceed by Perry County Clerk Jerod Kutz, began around 10 a.m. with several hundred people in attendance.
Rev. Frank Lewis, the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg, led in prayer, followed by a greeting from Perryville Mayor Larry Riney.
“Thank all of you wonderful people for taking time out of your busy day to honor our veterans,” he said. “Today, our veterans are heartfelt gratitude and gratefulness for allowing all Americans the many freedoms we enjoy today. When they chose which branch of service to enlist, they took a pledge, a solemn promise to go anywhere in the world our government asks them to go, and fight or protect not only American freedom, but the freedom and independence of other nations. Some of our veterans paid a dear price for our freedoms, mentally, physically, or, in some cases, both. Now, as a nation, let's fulfill our pledge to our veterans to give them all of the support they need to lead a normal life, not only for them but to support their families that may require it as well. Thank you to all our veterans. May God bless you and these great United States of America.”
Also greeting the crowd were Perry County Commissioner Keith Hoehn and representatives from local veterans’ organizations.
Addressing the crowd, Kutz said, “One hundred and six years ago, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ended. That morning, Allied forces in Germany signed an armistice agreement in Compiègne, France. On Nov. 11th, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I, the world celebrated Armistice Day. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, the U.S. Congress voted to rename the observance to Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a proclamation in October of 1954 acknowledging the United States had been engaged in two wars. World War II and the Korean War since Armistice Day was first observed, and we needed to honor all veterans. Because of the sacrifices of the American soldier, we are all free to speak. We are free to protest. We are free to offend. We are free to insult. Let us not forget, in the eyes of our creator, we are all brothers and sisters. And with that comes the ideal and the fact that we are all equal.
“And with equality comes respect to all others, regardless of those things that simply make us look different. Just as well, we must have mutual respect in our public discourse. And I believe we do here amongst those we call friends and neighbors. But we must not let the political fighting of Washington D.C. separate our communities and this great nation. That is not what the American veteran fought for.Because of the American soldiers' sacrifice, we are free to listen. We are free to tolerate, free to empathize, free to care for our neighbor. And I think that is what they wish for us. That is what they fought and continue to fight for. Folks, we have more in common than that which separates us. And I believe no matter where one comes from or what their national origin or race is, I believe in our commonality, that we are all Americans. It is what so many brave airmen, sailors, and soldiers fought for and even gave their lives for. Today we honor those brave men and women who have done so much for and given so much for us and this country.”
The keynote speaker for the day’s event was Cheri Sauer, the wife of a Marine veteran and mother of a son in the Navy.
She said, in part, “As a military parent, you learn very quickly things don't always go according to plan. You learn to roll with the punches, and you learn a very popular phrase, ‘no news is good news.’ Now, that might sound a little sad, but actually, it means everything's good. When the worry sets in, and you wonder where in the world he is, I turn to prayer, and I cling to that praise.
“No news is good news — as in radio silence is sometimes a good thing. In the civilian world, we are so used to vast amounts of communication, but most of us can't imagine not hearing from our son or daughter for months at a time. But when you get an email that says, ‘Hi mom, how are you?’ Your whole day brightens, and then I know he is OK. Other times, I just have to trust that all is well.”
Later in her speech, Sauer said, “As a military parent, you belong to a very special group of people, a group I didn't choose, but people who understand how I feel because they've been in my shoes. It's a group I didn't choose, but it's a group I am so very proud to be a part of. Other people won't understand why I'm crying at my son's high school football game because I received a text saying there'll be radio silence for a while. People won't understand that when I'm at my daughter's volleyball game, listening to the national anthem, I'm tearing up because I'm thinking of all the military personnel, not with their parents or with their families. But other military parents will understand. They have felt the highs and lows of military life. Another military parent understands what it feels like to be so incredibly proud of another human being — one you gave birth to, one that you raised, and yet absolutely terrified for their safety at the same time. Another military parent understands what it feels like when you're so looking forward to having them home on leave for a week. You can't wait to see them, but then simultaneously dreading them leaving after that week. But I don't say goodbye. I say see you later because that's a lot more hopeful.
“On the flip side of the sadness is an immense abundance of joy and pride. And also, there's an amazing network of parents across this great nation lifting each other up, supporting all military personnel, and sharing so much information that they have learned. Having a child in the military and passing along that knowledge to new military parents. I'm part of a Facebook group comprised of Navy moms and Boys in a Fun group. There are serious questions, a crazy sense of humor, and a safe place to voice frustrations. And I have an immense sense of pride for all those serving in our United States military, but especially our Navy. These mamas show up for each other in ways I've never seen, and I'm so proud to be included in this group, a group I couldn't be in unless my son was in the Navy. Being a military mom and a wife of a veteran has also helped me connect with people in my real life here in Perryville. When I see another military mom or dad, I immediately gravitate towards them, asking how their son or daughter is, giving a big hug of support, and having the knowledge that they understand me, and we understand each other and letting each other know that the support is here."
