Click the image above for a larger view
August 31, 2021 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members honored Iraq War Veterans August 31, 2021, on the Center square before the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial.
A gathering of citizens and representatives of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, as well as Constable Precinct 3 were also present in honor of the occasion.
VFW Post Quartermaster Larry Hume welcomed everyone in attendance and led the program.
"The war in Iraq began on March 20, 2003 and continued until August 31st, 2010," said Hume. "It's our duty as fellow veterans and citizens to insure that this piece of history and sacrifices are never forgotten."
"Our gathering here today is a small, but heartfelt 'thank you' to those American Patriots, said Hume."
During the Iraq War, 4,486 Americans paid the ultimate price including U.S. Army Specialist Larry E. Polley Jr., of Shelby County, on January 2004. He was a graduate of Center High School in 2001, and 20 years old when he was killed in action.
"Many more Americans suffered wounds and loss of limbs in that war," said Hume.
In honor of Iraq War Veterans, a wreath was hung from the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial by Post Life Member Mike Wulf placed the wreath.
"We would be remiss if we didn't remember the 11 Marines, the Navy Corpsmen and the one Army soldier that was killed in Afghanistan on August 26, as the result of an enemy attack while they were supporting non-combatant evacuation operations," said Hume.
In remembrance of the 13, flags were placed near the Shelby County Veterans Memorial in honor of each one of them. Hume read aloud the names of each:
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20
- Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22
- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23
Following the reading of their names, a moment of silence and prayer was observed.
"We at the VFW always say, sacrifice is meaningless without [remembrance] and the core members of our VFW post and Auxiliary members will never forget, or let the general public who is mostly uninterested forget," said Hume.
In honor of all fallen veterans, all Iraq Veterans and those who have survived and since passed, as well as the 13 who recently passed in Afghanistan, Taps was played as presented by Gene Hutto, VFW Post 8904 Commander.
