A civilian had the honor Tuesday of paying tribute to area veterans at Shawano’s annual Veterans Day program at the Shawano County Courthouse.
Ron Buettner, a 33-year-old teacher from Menominee Indian Middle School and lifelong Shawano resident, provided the keynote address.
“Many people were surprised to hear that I would be speaking today because I am not a veteran,” Buettner said. “But I volunteered for this honor because I thought it was important for those of us who have not served to thank and honor those of you who have.”
Buettner emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and acknowledged them for changing the landscape of American and world history, and for defending the rights and freedoms citizens enjoy today.
“I appreciate our veterans of the world wars. It is hard to imagine what the world would be like without them,” Buettner said. “If not for the soldiers, we would not enjoy the democracy we have today.
“We take for granted the rights and freedoms. … What a privilege it is to vote. We can go to polls in peace without worrying about violence.”
Through his eight years as a teacher, Buettner said, he discovered veterans’ service goes beyond active duty.
“When their days of active duty are over, they remind us what America is all about,” he said. “Our veterans also provide services to the community.”
Recognizing and remember the sacrifices of the armed forces is essential to maintaining the freedoms they fought to protect, Buettner said.
Quoting Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Buettner noted, “We can’t let our soldiers fade away. It’s our right, our job, our duty to stand up and see that they are remembered and appreciated for what they have done.”
Some of the people at the ceremony in the courthouse basement teared up as former Marine Corps Sgt. Dennis Bohm, representing AMVETS, read the names of 92 Shawano County veterans who passed away within the last year.
Bohm, who served from 1957-64, told the audience of more than 100 that his comrades need to be remembered beyond the annual holiday.
“Let’s not just remember them on this day, let’s remember them every day,” Bohm said.
Members of AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans participated in the ceremony, which concluded with Korean War veterans Junior Jahnke and Bob Seehafer accepting a memorial wreath.
The armistice that ended World War I went into effect at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918 — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Originally called Armistice Day, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 and continues today to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Categories
