Published: November 10, 2007 10:25 pm      

Ceremony pays tribute to veterans

By Erik Onstott

The Orange Leader



Citizens of Orange showed up in full force to pay tribute to military veterans at the Salute to Veterans Saturday at the city’s boat ramp just off Simmons Drive. The event was sponsored by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, partnering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post 250, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion Post 249 and the Veterans Service of Orange County.

Speakers at the event included Orange mayor Brown Claybar, Texas Representative Mike Hamilton and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, who spoke of the sacrifices of the soldiers.

“It’s a time to remember that freedom is not free,” Brady said. “The veterans didn’t just read about America’s dark hours. They lived them.”

Brady also spoke of the soldiers from his congressional district who have died in the Middle East, and the strength of their families.

“A month or so here in Orange County, I went to see the family of Specialist Kamisha Block,” Brady said, referring to the 20-year-old Vidor native who was killed in Iraq in February. “When I visit with the families, I see a part of America I wish everyone could see. These people have suffered a parent’s worst nightmare. Yet they somehow find the strength to go on.”

Along with several other veterans, Block was presented with the Heritage Freedom Award, the highest award given to veterans and civilians for their service. Block’s family accepted the award on her behalf.

Several old flags were also properly disposed of in a flag retirement ceremony. The solemn ceremony, which is intended as a way to retire old flags with honor and respect, is an elaborate procedure which involves methodically cutting up the flag along the blue field of stars and each stripe, then burning the pieces.

The Rev. Marv Howland also spoke to the assembled crowd, speaking of “When War Comes Home.”

“War doesn’t end when the last shot is fired,” Howland said. “It’s been played out in fields, trenches, foxholes and jungles.”

Howland said many think of the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the World Trade Center when the phrase “when war comes home” is mentioned. However, he said, war comes home in other ways.

“Another way war comes home is troops coming home with brain injuries, paralyzed, and having nightmares,” Howland said. “Many of them could tell you stories that would curl your hair, but they won’t. They just want you to know they’re glad to be alive.”

Howland also quoted an inscription on a stone at the temporary cemetery on the island of Okinawa, where he said some 8,000 United States Marines perished in the battle of Okinawa in early 1945.

“‘We gave our today for your tomorrow.’”



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2616 or eonstott@orangeleader.com