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A day to remember
By Todd DeFeo
For Jerry Woodson, Veterans Day is about
"remembrance."
It's about remembering those who fought and
died for our country and showing respect for that sacrifice.
"I thought it was an honor to serve," said
Woodson, who served "stateside" with the 82nd Airborne Division during
the Korean War. "I thought it was my duty to protect my country."
Woodson isn't alone. Especially not yesterday.
Not on Veterans Day, marking the anniversary of the end to World War I
in 1918.
A sense of pride engulfed the gymnasium at
McDonough Presbyterian Church where hundreds gathered to honor
America's military.
"I think it shows the people that we still need
to fight for our freedom; it's not actually free," said Woodson's
wife, Ann, whose uncle, John Bledsoe, served in France during World
War I.
Undaunted by bad weather, residents and
veterans like n young and old n gathered in the church's gymnasium and
listened to speakers, memorials and music.
"The turnout was really good," said Barbara Ann
Davis, president of the American Legion Post 55 Ladies Auxiliary.
"You can see how many loved their country and
gave their lives for it," said Davis, whose father, James Arthur
Austin, served in the Army during World War II.
"On Veterans Day, he always dressed up with his
hat and his medals," she said of her father. "He just shined."
At the program, which lasted about 45 minutes,
the post took a few minutes to remember some members who recently
died:
Augustus Lamar Martin: He entered the United
States Army on Oct. 16, 1942, and served as a corporal with the
Battery B 916th Field Artillery Battalion. Martin received the
European African Middle Eastern Service metal with three Bronze Stars,
the World War II Victory Metal and the American Service Metal; he was
discharged on Nov. 3, 1945.
Martin L. Melton: He joined the Marine Corps in
January 1942, serving as a sergeant and a corporal. He was discharged
in January 1946 and in November 2003, Melton was honored as the oldest
Marine at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Charlie Ray Stephenson: He joined the Navy in
1948 and was involved in atomic tests in the Marshall Islands; he
later transferred to Taiwan. Stephenson served during the Korean War
during the evacuation of the First Marine Division from North Korea
and later volunteered with a group exploring Antarctica before he
retired in 1970. During his service, he received the China Service
Award and the Navy Commendation Medal.
James Earl "Jimmy" Stroud: He joined the Navy
in 1942, serving as a First Class Petty Officer Aviation Machinist
Mate on a B-24 Liberator. Stationed on the West Coast, Stroud left the
service in 1945.
But, Jerry Woodson concluded after the
ceremony, some of the freedoms this country has enjoyed are eroding.
"When I went to war, I was willing to fight so
we could have freedom of speech, freedom of religion," he said. "We
aren't having that today; they're taking it away from us."
Published Nov. 12, 2004,
in the Daily Herald of McDonough, Ga.
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