Storm clouds lingered, but held at ease, as members of the Ellijay Lions Club welcomed many guests to salute Gilmer County’s military men and women on Veterans Day.
Bench seating was filled inside the Lions Club Pavilion Thursday, while others stood or sat at picnic tables placed around the outdoor setting of the honorary program long held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — the date and time signifying when an armistice between the Allied Forces and Germany ended World War I.
“Today, we celebrate and honor all the men and women who have valiantly served our nation in the Armed Forces throughout the years, including World War II, the Korean War -— the forgotten war and a very tough war -— the Vietnam War, the Gulf Wars and the current war against terrorism that happens today,” said program host, Ret. Air Force SMSgt. Sam Burrell, in his remarks.
The theme for the program was “We Honor You.” A guest speaker wasn’t featured this year. Instead, an extended program of patriotic musical performances drew applause and multiple standing ovations from attendees.
Among those lending their musical talents were the Ellijay Elementary School Chorus (under the direction of Katie Mayfield), the Gilmer High School Chorus (under the direction of Hannah Carter) and the Gilmer High School Marching Band (under the direction on David Wiebers).
A trio of singers from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church comprised of Doug Lee, Loy Jarrett and Charles Moody was a new addition to the musical lineup, while the national anthem was sung by Jennetta Kelly, who later received a surprise singing of “Happy Birthday” from some of the young chorus singers. Kelly, music teacher at Mountain View Elementary, also sang “The Star Spangled Banner” at several past community Veterans Day events.
Scott Eaton, minister of music for Ellijay First Baptist Church, brought the crowd to its feet when singing Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, “God Bless The U.S.A.,” while veteran George McClellan played the bagpipes to conclude the service.
Harold Henson, a Vietnam veteran and Gilmer County native who brought his grandson, Luke, and granddaughter, Scotlin, to watch the Veterans Day program, served in the Army from 1969-71, including time with the 25th Infantry and 101st Airborne divisions. A year of that service was in Vietnam, from 1970-71.
American soldiers coming home from Vietnam “wasn’t real popular” initially, and it took a while before they received the type of recognition given at Veterans Day events like the one held here, he noted.
“It’s like you’ve got pressure built up all through the years, and, on a day like this, it all comes out. It makes you feel good,” Henson said.
During the service, Veterans Day essay and poster contest winners from local schools were announced as follows: 3rd grade: Olivia Steingruber, 4th grade: Lissette Garcia, 5th grade: Mattelyn Jones, 6th grade: Payton Headricks, 7th grade: Bayleigh Jasinski, 8th Grade: Tabitha Hunter, 9th grade: Tony Gonzales, 10th grade: Lucy Ray, 11th grade: Sawyer Wishon, 12th grade: Regan Boling.
Students in grades 3-5 create Veterans Day posters, while essays are written by students in grades 6-12. Winners in each grade level received a recognition certificate and $50 from the Lions Club, Burrell noted.
“These kids put their hearts into what they’re doing, and they’ve done such a fantastic job,” he said.
As the program ended, a red, white and blue wreath was placed at the Lions Club flagpole by two cadets from Gilmer’s 507th Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron. The flowered wreath was later moved to the Gilmer County veterans monument on the downtown square. Local Civil Air Patrol cadets also served as the event’s honor guard.
Following the program, Lions Club members served boxed barbecue lunches, desserts and drinks to veterans and their families in cafeteria line format with help from members of the Gilmer High Leo Club.
Presented for the second year in a row at the Lions Club Fairgrounds, the special program appeared to draw a larger attendance this year than in 2020, Burrell figured.
“COVID has done a couple of things to us, and we’ve responded the (best) way we could. There was no way, last year, I could not have a ceremony to celebrate the veterans. We did, and it went well. This year, they were not quite ready for us to go back to the roundabout, but (it’s) worked out well here,” he told attendees.