Story and Video: Veterans Day ceremony returns to Belmont County Courthouse
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - American Legion Post 159 hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Belmont County Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday morning.
The plaza, which is soon to be remodeled, is fittingly named Veterans Plaza.
The ceremony took place at exactly 11 a.m. to honor the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.
Post 159 Sergeant at Arms Bob Farmer spoke about the importance of the holiday. He recalled a time where someone asked him following a Veterans Day service why veterans have so many holidays.
"I looked her right in the eye and I said, 'How many days of celebrating is your freedom worth?' My next remark was a little more casual when I regained my composure, and I explained to her the difference. Memorial Day is a day for great honor for those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, for those we can no longer thank that are no longer with us. Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans Day is a day for a group of veterans who not only did not get a welcome home, but received shameful treatment. And of course, Veterans Day is a day we thank all those around us who put their lives and personal safety in jeopardy for our freedom and protection from all foreign enemies," Farmer said. "There is no doubt about it. There are people in countries today who would want to do away with our way of life. It is up to all of us Americans as a country to stand up and fight tyranny."
He said he encourages everyone to walk through a graveyard and look at the marked graves of the men and women who protected those freedoms. He then implored the attendees to love the country with a jealous love and fight to protect its way of life.
"Our freedom of religion, our freedom to disagree with our elected officials and vote them out or vote them in. Because of our veterans, our great nation has survived 250 years," Farmer said.
Farmer added everyone in attendance should thank a veteran for their service because they are the ones who fought to keep freedom alive.
"Now, in this country, we just recently experienced a midterm election. Some people are happy with the outcome, some people are not so happy. But the great thing about the United States is that voting went on without military troops at the polling places to influence the vote. No dictator saying, 'Vote for me or suffer my wrath.'That does not happen in this country," Farmer said. "We are free to choose our destiny and that’s what Veterans Day is about."
St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman also spoke at the event. She thanked Post 159 for hosting the event and the St. Clairsville High School Marching Band who performed the National Anthem as well as a patriotic medley.
Thalman had high praise for the marching band, as well.
"They’re perfect. They’re wonderful, and I can’t thank them enough for being here to honor our veterans," Thalman said. "I’m just very happy to be here. God bless you all and thank you."
Post 159 adjutant Rick Johnson spoke next. He said that Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe in its name because it's not needed.
"It means all veterans. This day is for all that serve," Johnson said.