Veterans honored at Veterans Day Parade

A veteran holds the American flag as the morning sun illuminates it.

The guest speaker of the event was George Winters of Dyersburg. He is a Vietnam-era veteran in the Korean DMZ War from 1966-1969, also known as the Second Korean War. He also served in Germany during the Cold War. He is the Post Commander of the Dyersburg-United States Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1972 Watkins-Finch.

Winters said each generation must continue the tradition of honoring our veterans.

These veterans representing different wars salute as the national anthem is played.

"Americans have been honoring veterans from all wars, including the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the ongoing War in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Winters.

He went on to say that our forefathers founded America in search of freedom and a better way of life.

"They wanted freedom, prosperity for their children, and to be able to worship God in their own way, " said Winters. "We thank God for our individual rights to be free from an oppressive government. Our nation's virtues are selfless service, self-reliance, honor, love of God and country and most importantly courage."

Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill addresses the crowd, telling them they have had a Veterans Day Parade and dinner, every year in Dyersburg, since 1956. From left: George Winters, Hill, Jesse Kirk and Dyersburg Mayor John Holden.

He added that America has these virtues today because of our veterans and gave thanks for all they have sacrificed.

"The pride of our nation are these veteran men and women," said Winters. "In their uniform they have defended our shores, fought wars, and kept us free for 233 years. We are forever grateful and thankful for their service."

He went on to say that veterans deserved to be acknowledged on Veterans Day, but asked the audience to thank them every day for their service.

"Today, thank a veteran for serving this great nation of ours, hug or shake hands with a veteran and tell them how grateful we are they served," said Winters.

He then quoted George Washington.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."

Winters closed his speech by asking the audience to visualize a vigilant soldier at their homes.

George Winters of Dyersburg was the guest speaker of the event. He is a Vietnam-era veteran in the Korean DMZ War from 1966-1969, also known as the Second Korean War. He also served in Germany during the Cold War. He is the Post Commander of the Dyersburg-United States Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1972 Watkins-Finch. [Click to enlarge]

"I would like for everyone to try and visualize the following scenario," said Winters. "Each day you step out or into your home, look out at your front yard, driveway or sidewalk. Imagine a foxhole there and in that foxhole is a veteran. And each day when you walk in or out of your home you see this veteran who turns toward you, makes eye-to-eye contact and nods at you, always smiling. Then he turns and vigilantly watches for the enemy, heavily armed, ready to protect you and your family. That is what veterans have done and are still doing all over the world today, by performing this same type of mission 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Today, and every day, we recognize and honor all our veterans for their great service. You will always be heroes. God bless our veterans."

Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill added that there has been a parade and dinner every year since he had been discharged in 1956.

"I don't think no other county in this state can brag like that," said Hill. "If it's three of us we're going to be here."

Hill also thanked Dyersburg Mayor John Holden for adding assistance in helping the parade continue.

Major Andy Moore, a Dyersburg native, with the U.S. Army was home on leave from Afghanistan and said a few words.

These youngsters show their patriotic spirit during Wednesday's Veterans Day Parade.

"If you could just see what the young men and women in our military do today you'd be so proud," said Moore. "And to be here today to honor them, to honor our veterans who fought in all our wars and the sacrifices that they gave and that the young people are giving today is special."

A man from the audience suggested to Hill that all of the veterans gather in the street before the parade began.

The veterans in the audience then walked into the street to the applause of the crowd. Young and old hugged each other and shook hands with veterans they had not met before, each silently acknowledging the common bond they share.

After the parade, all of the veterans were invited to the armory to eat.

Old friends got to catch up with one another and reminisce about their past.

Cub Scouts from Pack 87 marched during Wednesday's Veterans Day Parade.

One such person was Robert Douglas, of Newbern, who is a veteran of World War II.

Douglas was with his brother, Melvin, who is a Korean War veteran. They also had two other brothers to serve in the armed forces.

Robert Douglas was with the United States Army, 117th Infantry, 30th Division during the war.

This cadet salutes the American flag as the national anthem is played. [Click to enlarge]

He spoke of a close shave when he was almost shot by one of Gen. Patton's tankers. His company commander left him at a road junction and a squad of tanks came upon him. A lieutenant stopped his tank and took Douglas' gun from him thinking he was a German in an American uniform.

Douglas said it was maybe because of his accent. He asked if someone else in the lieutenant's unit was from Tennessee. Another soldier went to get a soldier that was from Tennessee. He returned with that soldier and Douglas asked him which county was he from. The soldier replied, "Dyer County".

"I said oh 'Thank God'," said Douglas. He continued to asked him if he knew Judge Anderson Baker; Martin Jacobs, the game warden; Ronnie Miller, the pawn shop owner or Nick Bond, a policeman. The soldier also knew the same people and confirmed Douglas' citizenship. The lieutenant told Douglas that his company commander almost got him in deep trouble because two men were only supposed to be at the road junctions.

Douglas also did guard duty in Luxembourg and spoke briefly to Hermann Goering, Hitler's second in demand. He said soldiers were guarding Goering inside a hotel and Goering was coming up the stairs as he was coming down.

Douglas said Goering spoke English and asked him what the stripes on his sleeve meant. Douglas told him that each stripe meant 6 months overseas duty.

"But the highest ranking general in the German Army speaks to a corporal," said Douglas laughing. "I never dreamed it would've been me."

Local veterans march during Wednesday's Veterans Day Parade in downtown Dyersburg. Veterans from World War II up to the War in Iraq and Afghanistan were present at Wednesday's event.

The Things that Make a Soldier Great

The things that make a soldier great and send him out to die,

To face the flaming cannon's mouth nor ever question why,

Robert Davis (foreground) and his brother, Melvin (background), are both veterans, but of different wars. Robert served in World War II and Melvin served in the Korean War. They also had two brothers that served in the armed forces, one of which lives in Indiana. [Click to enlarge]

Are lilacs by a little porch, the row of tulips red,

The peonies and pansies, too, the old petunia bed,

The grass plot where his children play, the roses on the wall:

'Tis these that make a soldier great. He's fighting for them all.

'Tis not the pomp and pride of kings that make a soldier brave;

'Tis not allegiance to the flag that over him may wave;

For soldiers never fight so well on land or on the foam

As when behind the cause they see the little place called home.

Veterans hug each other as they are recognized in front of the podium. [Click to enlarge]

Endanger but that humble street whereon his children run,

You make a soldier of the man who never bore a gun.

What is it through the battle smoke the valiant solider sees

The little garden far away, the budding apple trees,

The little patch of ground back there, the children at their play,

Perhaps a tiny mound behind the simple church of gray.

The golden thread of courage isn't linked to castle dome

From left: Bob Davis (Air Force), Tony Parr (Marines) and James Baltimore (Army) sit across from Michael Parr (Navy) representing all four branches of the United States' armed forces.

But to the spot, where'er it be -- the humblest spot called home.

And now the lilacs bud again and all is lovely there

And homesick soldiers far away know spring is in the air;

The tulips come to bloom again, the grass once more is green,

Up top: George Winters, Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill, Jesse Kirk and Dyersburg Mayor John Holden look on with smiles as veterans greet each other in front of the podium. [Click to enlarge]

And every man can see the spot where all his joys have been.

He sees his children smile at him, he hears the bugle call,

And only death can stop him now -- he's fighting for them all.

-- Edgar A. Guest