Our Veterans deserve a whole lot more than what we have been giving!

Our military Veterans and current enlisted men and women deserve so much more that what we have been giving them. Each year on Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November, this community has a ceremony in front of the Seminole County Courthouse to honor and remember our brave sons and daughters fighting for and defending our freedoms. These ceremonies are emotionally moving and are always anticipated and welcomed by our community’s former and current military service personnel.
From the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the keynote speech to the laying of the wreath and the playing of Taps, these ceremonies contain the essential elements our military men and women in attendance deserve.
For four years now I have been front and center at these ceremonies, surrounded for the most part by just the Veterans and their families. Each year as I stand there with a lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face, I am embarrassed by the fact that the vast majority of the people in this community are not there.
We need to change that and we need to change that this year on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.
Veterans Day celebrates and honors the individuals who put their lives on the line for ours, and because of their efforts, allow us to live in the land of the free. Our veterans are our heroes and deserve every recognition, every ceremony and every parade we can offer.  And because of that, we should celebrate Veterans Day each and every day of the year.
That line of thinking was where the idea of a Seminole County Veterans Day Parade originated. The parade is the least we can do, and we should be doing a whole lot more, every day to honor our veterans.
The Veteran Day parade was established two years ago to increase attendance at the 10 a.m. ceremony  – and it has, but were you there last year?
Make plans to attend and honor all veterans with your presence Wednesday morning, November 11, at the 9:30 a.m. Veterans Day Parade down Second Street and at the 10 a.m. Veterans Day ceremony in front of the Courthouse in downtown Donalsonville.
While you are there, shake the hands of the people who have served and let them know how much they and their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated. You don’t have to say much and you certainly do not have to make a speech to express your appreciation.  
Actually, only two words are necessary when you shake the hand of a Veteran – Thank you!
The quality of life we enjoy today in our community has been made possible by their efforts and this is just a small way for this community to thank them in a way they deserve.
Join the parade. For additional information contact David Maxwell or Rhonda Worrell at the Donalsonville News at 229-524-2343 or Lynda Spooner at the Chamber of Commerce at 229-524-2588.

Comments and impressions are welcomed and
requested at david@donalsonvillenews.com