By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Dark skies threatened rain, but Bowling Green showed up Monday morning to remember those killed in service to their country. Along the parade route, spectators stood for Old Glory, men removed their hats, and children waved small flags.
“We’re here to honor all of our military people,” said Kaye Michaelis as she and her husband, Wayne, watched the annual parade travel through downtown on Main Street.
“It’s great to see our red, white and blue,” she said, noting her husband served in the military, her brother served in Vietnam, and her father was wounded in World War II.
But amidst the patriotism there was also unease about the profound divisions in the nation.
At Oak Grove Cemetery, keynote speaker retired Army Col. Stephen Ledbetter, with 26 years of active duty, spoke of the unwavering support for the military and veterans in this part of the country.
“I’m proud to be an American,” he said.
But Ledbetter followed that with concerns about the unsettled state of the nation.
“It saddens me to see how divided we are along political lines,” he said.
Ledbetter expressed his hope that at least on Memorial Day, people can put their politics aside to honor those who gave their lives to preserve American freedoms.
People along the parade route reflected that same hope during distressing times.
Nick Ezzone, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1958 to 1960 in the Army band in Stuttgart, Germany, held a small American flag as he watched the parade.
“I love this country,” he said.
But Ezzone said he is troubled by some factions in the country. “I’m aggravated that people attacked the Capitol. That’s our house. It belongs to us.”
In front of the Wood County Courthouse, Glendale Silverwood recalled those lost in battle.
“I’m honoring the vets that sacrificed for the stupidity of war – the fiasco in Vietnam,” he said.
“I enlisted, but I had my draft notice in my hand,” thinking he might be stationed elsewhere if he enlisted. But he was sent to Vietnam, and served there four years, from 1966 to 1970.
On a bench at the courthouse were Tony White, who usually attends the Memorial Day Parade, and Crystal White, who normally sleeps in. But this year, both wanted to see the veterans banners posted last week in Bowling Green – two which picture their relatives.
“It’s a great honor for them to put up the flags for those who served our country,” Crystal White said.
“I love my country. I’m thankful to be an American. I’m here supporting the rights and freedoms I have,” Tony White said, adding his concerns that some of those freedoms are being threatened.
As the parade arrived at Oak Grove Cemetery, people surrounded the mound where wreaths are placed for those who have given their lives in service of their country. Scouting troops, Bowling Green High School Marching Band members, Civil War reenactors, veterans and those showing their gratitude gathered.
Retired Army Col. Greg Robinette asked the community to remember those who didn’t get to return from battle to drink a beer at their homecoming party. Some came home in flag-draped coffins or didn’t come home at all.
Those soldiers gave their lives so Americans can speak freely and vote, he said. “All gave some. Some gave all. May we always remember.”
Robinette introduced Ledbetter, who he served with in the Middle East. Ledbetter, who is commander of Paul C. Ladd VFW Post 1148 in Bowling Green, served overseas assignments in Germany, where he deployed to Bosnia, Croatia and Hungary in support of Operation Joint Endeavor; two combat tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and a tour in Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
During his address, Ledbetter noted that the average age of American service members killed in WWII and Vietnam was just 23 years old.
“They laid down their lives doing what our nation asked of them,” Ledbetter said. “So you and I can be here today reaping the benefits of their selfless service. Remember there are some things worth fighting for.”
Ledbetter served in a variety of command and staff positions, both within the U.S. and overseas, during his over two decades of Army active duty service. This included tours at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the 82nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command; at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he commanded the 53rd Transportation Battalion; in Washington, D.C., at the Pentagon where he served as the military assistant for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he commanded Letterkenny Army Depot.
Ledbetter’s awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), the Bronze Star (two oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (four oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge and the Canadian Parachutist Badge.
Also at the service in Oak Grove Cemetery, the national anthem was performed by the Bowling Green High School Band. Vocalist Evvie Van Vorhis sang the “Armed Forces Medley” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Thom Headley, deacon at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, served as chaplain, Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher presented Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Logan’s Orders was presented by Lori Tretter, Bowling Green Municipal Administrator.
The winner of the VFW Paul C. Ladd Post 1148 Voice of Democracy contest, Zane Barber, read his essay “The Greatest Attribute of Democracy.”
