Honor all who served

BROWNSTOWN — Those attending Wednesday’s Veterans Day ceremony in Brownstown had the chance to more than just remember and honor those who have served their country over the years.

That’s because Joe Robertson, a local veteran, gave a brief history about the many monuments dedicated to veterans that dot the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse.

Robertson told those on hand of his experiences during a service in 1930 when a monument was dedicated to those who served in World War I.

“I recited the poem ‘In Flanders Field,’” Robertson said. That poem was penned by Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D., with the Canadian Army. McCrae wrote the poem the day after a friend died during World War I.

Robertson also talked about one of the newer memorials on the courthouse lawn that remembers the dead from the biggest wars of the 20th century, World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Robertson said he also remembered as a youth seeing the Civil War cannons and cannon balls that once stood on the courthouse lawn to recognize veterans of that war. Those cannons and cannon balls were melted during World War II and used for things like the tank that now graces the courthouse lawn, Robertson said.

“I’m sure many of you have played on that tank,” Robertson said to the Brownstown Elementary School fifth-graders who attended the ceremony.

Many of those fifth-graders presented cards to veterans on hand for the service and thanked them.

Fifth-grader Leah Stidam, 10, said Veterans Day is important to her.

“My dad is a veteran and he’s still here,” Stidam said. Stidam’s dad served in Operation Desert Storm.

Fifth-grader Payton Campbell, 11, said Veterans Day is important to her because it honors those who served their country.

Brittany Ross, 11, said Veterans Day is special.

“Because it’s about everyone who has served our country so that we can live free,” she said.

For Brownstown veteran Larry Carroll, who served in the U.S. Army from 1976 to 1999, Veterans Day is especially important in light of the events last week at Fort Hood, Texas. A dozen soldiers and one civilian were shot to death during a shooting rampage. Maj. Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, has been accused in the deaths.

“It was really what happened down there,” Carroll said shortly after the service, explaining why he attended Wednesday’s program.

Phil Robertson, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said Veterans Day is important to him because it honors every veteran.

“Memorial Day is for those who have died,” Robertson said. “This is for everyone who served their country.”
He also said he was impressed with the demeanor of the children attending the service.

“They really seemed to be listening,” Robertson added.

After Robertson finished his speech, an honor guard fired a 21-gun salute, and Brownstown Central junior Kayla Isaacs wrapped up the ceremony by playing taps.