Despite a light rain, steady wind and overcast skies, about 100 people came to Keokuk's Veterans Memorial Wednesday to honor the men and women who have served this country. It's a ceremony that, year after year, focuses less on pomp and circumstance and more on reflection and gratitude.
Pat Hogan, who is Commander of American Legion Post #41, has served as master of ceremonies for the event in Keokuk for years. He thanked the crowd for attending this event and an event the previous day hosted by the Keokuk School District.
"What a way to celebrate Veterans Day, the way it should always be celebrated, with humility and reflection," said Hogan. "As we are in the season of Thanksgiving, let us all thank God that we have one another and we know our duty, let us execute our orders that come from above."
The ceremony got underway at 11:00, just like similar ceremonies across the country . It featured an honor guard, patriotic music, and speeches by Mayor Tom Marion and State Representative Jerry Kearns.
Marion used his time to reflect on the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. He said they not only lost their lives for this country, but also the lives they would have lived.
"Hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the world sleep in peace because more than 1-million Americans rest in peace," said Marion. "Here and in graves, marked and unmarked, all across the world, today, we come again to say we owe them a debt we can never repay."
Kearns spoke of the honor, the courage and the valor shown by this nation's veterans.
"Today we honor our heroes, remembering their achievements, their courage, their dedication and say thanks for their sacrifices," said Kearns. "Thinking of the heroes who join us in the group today and those who are here only in spirit, we can't help but feel awed by the enormity of what we encounter. We stand in the midst of patriots and the families and friends of the men and women who nobly served."
The ceremony was the 11th held in front of the Keokuk Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated July 4, 2005. It lasted about 30 minutes, as it always does, though there was one "break in protocol" as Pat Hogan described it.
Hogan took a couple minutes to honor Basil Reed, who was sitting with the Honor Guard, a group he led for years. Hogan said Reed is the last living member of the local American Legion Post who fought on D-Day.
"Omaha Beach, he was at, on that historic day, D-Day, and Basil so glad to see you right back out here with the honor guard. Let's give him a great round of applause," said Hogan as the crowd stood and cheered. "I don't know what to say about 'Red' so I'm not going to say anything because he does his own talking. Great to see you."
You can hear the entire ceremony by clicking the audio link below.
