Coshocton remembers veterans on Veterans Day
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Veterans Service Office celebrated Veterans Day with a ceremony outside on the courthouse lawn. Jack Patterson, president of the Coshocton County Veterans Service Commission gave the welcome speech and Father Victor Wesolowski gave the invocation after the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The invocation was followed by the National Anthem performed by the Walhonding Rube Band and a moment of silence in honor of fallen military men and women and for those currently serving our nation.
An introduction of local veterans was given and Jim Barstow of the Coshocton County Veterans Service Commission presented an award to Alvin Hostetler and Travis Jackson, president and vice president respectively of the Clow Veterans Group, who assist and serve local veterans.
Guest speaker was Becky Bowden, president of the local Blue Stars Mothers Chapter #OH59. She has one son serving as a staff sergeant in the US Marine Corps. and another son who served in the Ohio National Guard. Her husband is a retired US Navy Commander. Becky served as a nurse in the US Navy.
Becky gave a brief explanation of the Blue Star Mothers and told about their various fundraisers they have throughout the year.
“I would like to thank all veterans who have served our country, especially those who have seen combat,” she said. “Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.”
The Walhonding Rube Band performed the Armed Forces Medley and invited veterans who had served in each branch of the military to stand when their song was played.
Annie Bowen, manager of the Zanesville Community Out-Patient VA Clinic was the featured speaker for the ceremony. She was a medic in the Army from 1992 – 1993 and served in supplies in the Ohio National Guard from 1993 – 1997.
Bowen said that in 2013, 3,352 veterans lived in Coshocton County.
“This county truly knows the sacrifice of veterans’ service,” she said. “Each generation has continued the freedoms we enjoy.”
She mentioned that on Veterans Day, we should not only honor our current veterans, but our future veterans as well.
“Today, many men and women in uniform will be tomorrow’s veterans,” she said. “We are a blessed nation. Let it be our mission to preserve their memories and great deeds. Let’s make it our duty, not just on Veterans Day, to remember the sacrifices they made.”
After Bowen’s speech, The Walhonding Rube Band performed “God Bless America” and the Coshocton County Honor Guard gave the 21 gun salute. The ceremony ended with the playing of TAPS by Tim Vance and George Clark and a benediction by Father Victor Wesolowski.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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