Millerton salutes its heroes with COVID-safe Veterans Day ceremony

Millerton salutes its heroes with COVID-safe Veterans Day ceremony
Millerton American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay led local veterans and area residents in honoring the service of those who served this country at the Veterans Day ceremony held at Veterans Park.
Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

MILLERTON — Even with this year’s COVID-19 restrictions, local residents found a way to safely honor those who fought to protect their country at the Veterans Day ceremony held on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Conducted by the American Legion Post 178, this year’s Veterans Day ceremony was held at Veterans Park. Flags were mounted into the ground, and many attending veterans were seen dressed for the occasion. Lifelong residents and young families alike gathered at the park to pay tribute to their local veterans, all while keeping a safe distance and wearing masks.

From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay acknowledged in his opening remarks that “each generation of Americans has answered the call to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.” In honor of their service, he remarked that two days out of the year are set aside to honor those who served: Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Memorial Day “pay[s] tribute to those who have fallen on the field of battle,” Klay said Veterans Day honors “those who have returned from our nation’s conflicts and have the honor of having the title of veteran.”

American Legion Post Chaplain Julien Strauss then gave the morning invocation.

Tracing the day’s roots back to the First World War, Klay informed observers that it was a century ago — Nov. 11, 1918 — that the guns fell silent on the Western Front. From 1919 to 1953, he said this day was known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, until President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially change the holiday’s name to Veterans Day in 1954. As he continued to delve into the history of veterans, Klay relayed a stream of statistics — from the number of veterans who served in the Vietnam War to the average age of soldiers killed in action — to inform those present of the sacrifices made for this country.

Klay said he found that the large majority of Post 178 members were from the Vietnam War era, with 82 members serving in that war. Additionally, he reported that three Millerton Legion members served in World War II while 14 members served in the Korean Conflict. In recognition of the Post 178 members’ service to their country, Klay read aloud from a roster of those who served during Vietnam. As a musical tribute to their service, “God Bless America” came streaming out of the speakers, eliciting veterans and residents to place their hands over their hearts or raise their hands in salute. Once the song reached its final note, Klay asked for a moment of silence in honor of those who did not return from battle.

The resounding crack of guns firing broke the silence that fell over the park as a trio of Post members launched a three gun salute and the mournful melody of taps played.

On behalf of Post 178, Klay thanked everyone for attending this year’s Veterans Day ceremony. Due to COVID-19, the annual community lunch following the park ceremony was canceled this year.

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