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November 12, 2020 - Veterans Day was honored and celebrated on Wednesday, November 11th in Shelby County on the historic courthouse grounds in front of the Veterans Memorial. Members of VFW Post 8904 and its auxiliary gave tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, welcomed everyone and gave an invocation, "Almighty God, we stand here today to pay tribute to the great men and women, living and dead, who have served their country in the armed forces. Accept our thanksgiving for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. Let us never take for granted their devotion to liberty. Let our spirits be proud of them, let our hearts be compassionate, and our minds clear and determined to give them the honor and the respect that they deserve. Amen."
All attending then recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Hume then said, "Thank you for being here today. I know I don't have to tell you that 2020 has been an unusually difficult year. You know for some today it might be easier to forget about it and make a promise to make it up next year with a bigger celebration. But we the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Auxiliary will never let that happen. You know, although we can't be within our beautiful old courthouse today like we were a couple of years ago with standing room only when we celebrated the 100 anniversary that ended War War I, we can be here and we are here to remember and celebrate Veterans Day. Large or small gathering makes no difference, we will always remember Veterans Day. You know, it's Veterans of Foreign Wars and its members are an organization whose primary mission is to serve and care for those who have served. We understand that Veterans Day has a deep significance. To us here today it isn't just another day overlooked and ignored, to the more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and the VFW Auxiliary it's a day to celebrate. A day to honor the millions of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coastguards men who have selflessly gone where ever and whenever they were called."
Hume also acknowledged the birthday of the Unites States Marine Corps which was November 10th. He applauded the Marine attending the event who was Newton Johnson.
"Veterans Day is not just for those who died in service. Veterans Day is mainly for those still living. But we also remember those who have served and have since passed," said Hume before inviting all those in attendance to name family members who have served.
Newton Johnson, Post 8904 Senior Vice, placed the memorial wreath before taps was sounded by Post Commander Gene Hutto for all those who have served and passed whether in war time or peace time.
