Pembroke American Legion Post No. 164 and the City of Pembroke hosted an event to commemorate Veterans Day Friday, adding five new flags to the downtown area. The weather cooperated with ideal conditions — plenty of sunshine, blue skies and a light breeze that kept the sea of flags waving in perpetual homage to those who have served.
First Sgt. Jesse France emceed the event, welcoming everyone in attendance. Mark Crowe got things started with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and Specialist Rachel Lanier of the U.S. Army (medically retired) led in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dave Cone gave the invocation giving thanks for the veterans and for their service. First Sgt. Harold Piet U.S. Army, retired, was the guest speaker. Piet spoke of the sacrifices that veterans make to protect this nation’s freedoms.
He quoted the scripture, “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” stating that a veteran exemplifies this love. Piet thanked the men and women who are currently serving, including those who serve at home as first responders. Piet pointed out that it is a small percentage of citizens who volunteer to put their lives on the line for the freedoms that we all enjoy.
In closing, Piet asked those in attendance to remember that, “a veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘the United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including’ their life.”
France had members of each branch of the military who were in attendance to stand so they could be recognized for their service. New flags were added to the flag memorial to acknowledge World War II and Korean War veteran Harold E. Alford of the Air Force, Korean War veteran Joseph L. Bruno Jr. of the Army, WWII veteran Albert M. Floyd of the Army, Vietnam War veteran Michael W. Macchio of the Navy, and Korean War veteran Artie J. Smith of the Air Force.
After family members had been escorted to their respective memorial markers, a stirring rendition of Taps was played by Audie Powell, bringing the event to a somber close.