In separate Pembroke ceremonies, Veterans were honored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 164, Saturday and Bryan County Middle School Monday.
Spencer Moore, who provided the opening prayer, showed genuine emotion while speaking about the American flag blowing in the breeze and what it meant to him.
"My heart pounds every time I look on the flag of our great country. It stands for freedom, courage and reminds me of those who fought and those who died to protect our freedoms. It reminds me that freedom is not free and of the sacrifices so many men and women have made so that we can be free," he said.
Auxiliary members and middle school students both read Proclamation 3071 which announced the observance of Veterans’ Day as enacted by President Eisenhower.
In part, it reads, "Now, Therefore, I Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."
Saturday’s American Legion ceremony offered readings of various items such as What is a Veteran read by Riley McCauley, the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day read by Boy Scout Troop 357, A Soldier Known But to God read by Virginia Quattlebaum, and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Table Ceremony read by Scout Master and Legion member Dave Williams. Mark Cowart performed the National Anthem and Mark Crowe sang American Soldier and God Bless the USA.
Monday, Bryan County Middle School students read selected poetry and essays written by the students themselves in addition to music performed by the school band and various other readings of poetry and essays, as well as the middle and high schools interpretive dance team performing to Elvis Presley’s American Trilogy.