G.K. Chesterton once wrote: "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." A fitting quote on a day set aside to honor the sacrifice and commitment routinely asked of our troops.
Monday, Nov 11th, two local veteran
organizations, VFW Post 10643 and American Legion Post 148 of Windham, hosted a
Veterans Honoring Veterans Program at the Windham Veterans Center. The event was
billed as a gathering of both local veterans as well as the general public, who
were invited to attend as an opportunity to honor those who are serving and for
those who have served in defense of our Country.
Veterans and the public were welcomed as Boy Scout Troop 805
members presented colors, which was quickly followed by a wonderful rendition
of the National Anthem by the Windham Chamber Singers. The introduction was
followed by a heartfelt thanks to all the troops who had just been deployed to
provide relief in the Philippines.
The crowd of nearly 300 people filled the room to capacity. All
five branches of the US military were represented: Army, Air Force, Navy,
Marines and Coast Guard, all in neatly pressed full dress uniforms, garnished
with ribbons and medals. Patriotism was running high. Throughout the event,
several speakers were overcome with emotion.
Commander Roger Timmons presented awards to this year’s
winners of the Patriot’s Pen Essay. Each winner received a cash award and personally
recited their work to the audience. The winners were: Payton White, Holden
Anderson, Megan Joy and Lauren Clark. Anne Libby, a senior at Windham High
School, won the Voice of Democracy contest.
Seated at the main table as honored guests were Senator Gary
Plummer, Representative Jane Pringle, Representative Thomas Tyler, councilor Dennis
Welch, councilor David Nadeau and General William Begert.
Keynote speaker General Bergert, never talked about his
credentials, but he flew more than
300 combat missions over Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos during the
Vietnam War. He has logged more than 875 hours of combat earning him two Legion
of Merit medals, two Distinguished Flying Cross medals and twelve Air medals.
Bergert praised
and thanked the members of our armed forces as he spoke about each conflict
beginning with the First World War. “During those times, our soldiers had no
idea when they would return home. They weren’t signing up for six months, not
even a one or two year tour, they were committed until victory,” said Bergert.
“Look at what our troops are doing today, at this moment. Providing relief,
food and medicine to the Philippines.
These humanitarian actions are happening today because of our troops readiness.
The Philippine people may not have another week.” Bergert ended on a note that
troop readiness must not be overlooked or taken for granted.
The Windham Chamber Singers performed another song which was
followed by the Chaplains final prayer. The program ended on a gracious note as
the crowd was led outside to the Memorial
Garden to dedicate the
ashes of deceased veterans Ralph Johnson and Barry Lombard. The outside
ceremony included a granite bench dedication in memory of veteran Harold Lewis.
Finally, the ceremonies concluded with a memorial garden stone dedication to
MIA/POWs and Scout Dean Preston’s rendition of Taps played on his trumpet. Guests
were invited back in for closing refreshments, courtesy of Dinah Aldrich.
… And the rockets' red
glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the
night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that
star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the
free and the home of the brave?
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