November 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Members of a grateful community gathered Monday morning at the county complex to pay tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces.
Veterans’ Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a solemn promise to remember.
The observance was coordinated by the American Legion Post #122 and began with patriotic music by Susan Hinton on the keyboard and performances by the DCHS Chorus under the direction of Josh Gulley and the DCHS Band directed by Max Patterson with the presentation of colors and a prayer by local minister Larry Green. A music video of the song “Unsung Heroes” by Dailey and Vincent was also shown.
Danny Pan, 4th District Commander and member of the American Legion Upper Cumberland Post#135 was the featured speaker. Pan spoke of his military background and then gave a history of Veteran’s Day with the support of the American Legion.
“World War I was so horrific that many referred to it as the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, that optimism was short lived. A generation later the second world war would follow which was even deadlier than the first. Even so the American Legion never wavered on the significance of the 1918 armistice. The nation’s largest veterans’ organization had been advocating for Armistice Day to be observed since 1920”, said Pan
“In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War the American Legion led an all-Veterans Day celebration which was seen as the spark that led the movement for November 11 to be a date to honor every American since the Revolutionary War. The advocacy paid off. On October 8, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day,” Pan continued.
“The love for this country is a common thread and bonds veterans from the earliest day of our nation’s founding to those serving today. All Americans should remember those who have made our freedom possible. It is up to us to ensure that every veteran believes that his or her service in this country is respected by their fellow Americans. The easiest and simplest way is to say thank you for your service to our country”
“Winston Churchill spoke at the Royal Air Force when he delivered the famous line “never so much owed by so many to so few”. The same could be said of American veterans in 2024. In 1980 about 18% of US adults were veterans. Today it is approximately 5%. Active-duty service members comprise less than one half of one percent of the US population. All Americans benefit from this small and distinguished group of volunteers who currently comprise the US Armed Forces. On this Veterans Day we honor not an Armistice but the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the greatest military the world has ever known. Our message to American veterans past and present is simple. We will never forget you,” said Pan.
Pan served in the Navy from 1987 to 1992 and was deployed to Panama during Operation Just Cause and Desert Shield/Storm. After being discharged from the Navy, Pan benefited from the GI Bill and received a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University. Upon graduation, Pan embarked on a 24-year career in law enforcement where he served in a variety of positions including the Gang Unit, Violent Crime Unit, Anti-Terrorism, Rapid Response Team, among other assignments. He retired in 2018.
Ronnie Redmon, Adjutant of the American Legion Post #122 presided over the program and welcomed the guests while Judy Redmon of the Ladies Auxiliary introduced Pan, the guest speaker.
Melissa Crouch of Gentiva Hospice paid tribute to veterans in attendance and issued pins to them which were presented by members of the DCHS band and Chorus. Crouch also honored Gold Star Mothers.
After the program veterans boarded a school bus which was escorted from the county complex to the courthouse by local law enforcement and fire departments. At the site of the veteran’s memorial monument on the south side of the courthouse, local veterans and others placed a wreath in tribute. A luncheon followed back at the county complex for veterans, their spouses, and program participants.