Veterans honored at brisk Blyton ceremony

A frigid temperature and a taunting wind set the scene for the honoring of veterans last Friday, November 11^th, at Blyton Park, in Sparta. Spectators who arrived around 10:23 a.m. took in the scene of former military personnel standing online, holding several American flags, all branches of the military flags and weapons at the ready, for an honorary salute. Folks trickled in from all directions, forming a sparsely spotted half circle. A mother pushed her baby in a carriage, down the sidewalk that splits the park in half; an elder man was hunched over while reading the names on the marbled memorials; the flags snapped in the gusting winds, setting the stage for the commemoration and contemplation of the men and women who are, and were, responsible for freedom ringing continuously across this great land.

At precisely 10:30 a.m., the ceremony was set into motion by Doug Robertson, of the VFW. He introduced Pastor Jim Scafe, who led those gathered to honor, in prayer. Bowed heads lifted back into whipping winds, as Robertson introduced the next speaker, Trent Davenport, the current commander of the VFW Post 2112, in Sparta. Davenport went on to thank all who had gathered on such a cold day to honor the veterans. “I would like to thank the great city of Sparta for getting us this park here [for memorials and honor] and all the volunteers who have donated their precious time to this effort,” Davenport stated. “I see Reinhard Mueller here, who has been an instrumental part of this all coming together. Thank you everyone.”

The ceremony marched forward, as Robertson introduced the commander of the American Legion Post 100, Tim Hyma. Hyma went on to iterate his thankfulness for the city of Sparta and all the generosity that exudes from the community. Hyma also stated that there will be no Thanksgiving dinner at the Legion this year, due to the sponsoring group not being able to find enough volunteers, but that the Christmas dinner is a go, and will serve 800 to 1,000 guests.

The cold weather prompted a quickness to the ceremony, keeping it on a fast track for warmer spaces. The shakiness of vocals that is common in nervous crowd-speaking situations, was heightened by the frosty demeanor of the day. Sometimes, the end of words just fell and shattered on the ground, as articulation became a bar set too high to master in the freezing temperatures. The speakers never seemed fully set at the podium, with one foot set to disembark as soon as the last syllables were uttered into the microphone.

Robertson then introduced the keynote speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Chad Maynard, Deputy Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy. Having grown up in Ohio, Maynard stated that he was no stranger to the cold weather. “I want to give a belated happy birthday to our Marine Corps veterans out there,” Maynard opened with. “Today we recognize all who have served with honor and distinction. Our military personnel have always been our greatest assets. Duty to our country is the prime reason people want to serve in our military. As a nation, we must ensure that the service and sacrifice of our nation is never overlooked or forgotten.” Maynard then went on to talk about the 18 million veterans that currently live in the United States. “On Veterans Day we honor all men and women who stepped forward to defend our nation throughout history. They have made us stronger and more resilient as a country. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, are all traits our military embraces.” Maynard ended his speech by mentioning all the positive contributions that veterans continue to put forth, long after their service. “Our nation’s veterans, throughout our history, have kept us free, returned home, and continued to serve our nation in a multitude of ways. Today we say thank you to them.”

After the applause subsided, Doug Robertson said, “Veterans Day is a special day to honor all veterans, both living and deceased. We honor those veterans who have passed on with a three-round volley of fire, followed by the playing of TAPS.” Robertson then went on to ask all gentlemen to remove their hats, other than a service hat. All veterans and active duty were then asked to render a hand-salute during the playing of TAPS. Robertson also informed those in attendance that, “TAPS is an honor to the fallen. It is not musical entertainment, so we request that you refrain from clapping,” he explained. “Thank you for your respect.”

With that, the honor guard snapped to attention in the biting wind. The ringing of a church bell echoed through the city, as the first command was given. “Port arms! Right Face! Ready, Aim, Fire! Aim, Fire! Aim, Fire!” The final echoes of the firearms collided with the last echo of the church bell, sending both into a muffled fade. The echo honors now belonged to the playing of TAPS. In that 59 seconds, a country’s lifespan of dedicated women and men, who had given the ultimate sacrifice, were honored, remembered and missed.

Tears were whisked off faces by the daunting wind, which refused to yield, even just to catch its breath. It served as a chilly reminder, of those who were fighting so far from home. Off in hostile lands, far from their moms and dads, brothers and sisters, children and friends; fighting for a country they would never set foot on again. As afraid as they all were, they knew that it had to be done, to ensure the survival of a democracy that serves as the guiding beacon, to so much of the rest of the world.

The freezing wind served as courier to the fallen, carrying the high emotions and gratitude of a thankful nation, to where they dwell now, yet remaining deeply embedded in the hearts of Americans.