The Covid-19 pandemic failed to deter a group of veterans in Danville from marking Veteran’s Day with a special service. They gathered at the Middle East Conflicts Memorial (at Hazel and Williams Streets) to remember those who served and honor those presently serving their country.
Tom Barrett, Commadant of the Marine Corp. League in Danville, explained why they decided to hold the service in the middle of a pandemic…
{”We did the same thing for Memorial Day. We weren’t allowed to really assemble, to really recognize that, and a few of us got together and recognized it,” said Barrett. ”We’re not going to let it be forgotten. It’s just something we can’t do.”}
Barrett wonders whether students know why they had the day off…
{”We’re the forefathers of these young people in school. They don’t know if they’re not taught in school what’s happening. We’ve got to keep it perpetuated. We’ve got to keep doing these things – getting out in the public and let people know what’s really happening. Not just what we’re doing – why it was done,” added Barrett during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.}
During his address, Barrett told the small crowd that he wonders whether young people today have the same pride of his generation when they raised their hands to serve.
Barrett also noted there is soon going to be a change in the Commander-in-Chief…
{”We may not agree with the Commander-in-Chief, but he is the Commander-in-Chief. He is the man in charge. If he gives an order we’ve got to follow it. That was one of the things they told us when I was active in the Marine Corp,” said Barrett. ”The Commander-in-Chief is the Commander-in-Chief. That’s why he’s got that title. When he sends out an order it is followed.”}
Honor Guards from the local Kenneth D. Bailey Detachment of the Marine Corp League and American Legion Post 210 in Danville were among those participating in the ceremony.
>>> [The following is audio from a portion of the Danville ceremony where the honor guards paid tribute to those who died while serving our nation….
[AUDIO from ceremony….
(Although Bill Pickett is retired, he still provides some feature stories for Neuhoff Media Danville. If you have an idea for a feature story that you think should be covered, contact Bill at newsguy102@yahoo.com.)
