Legion honors vets
ALANNA WOLF Staff Writer
David Dredge, left, and Bill Hall, both of American Legion Post 100, posted the colors Wednesday morning during the Nodaway County Veterans Day ceremony.
Nodaway County veterans were honored Wednesday morning during the Nodaway County Veterans Day Ceremony at American Legion Post 100 in Maryville.
Veterans from all branches of the armed forces gathered to celebrate other veterans and those still currently serving in the armed forces, as well as those who never returned home or have passed away.
During the celebration, Harold VanSickle was awarded an American Legion 70-year pin for his years of dedicated service in the armed forces and to the American Legion.
The Legion also recognized Maryville Public Safety Sgt. Rick Smail and Nodaway County Assessor Rex Wallace awards for their respective efforts in aiding American Legion members.
Marvin Harper, a lifelong native of Nodaway County who is currently adjutant of American Legion Post 102 in Barnard, delivered a heartfelt speech about his fellow veterans.
Harper, who joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a driver and platoon sergeant, opted to continue serving his country through the American Legion after his active duty tour. He has served in several different positions within the American Legion at the district, state, and national levels.
During his remarks, Harper touched on politics, service to one’s country, veteran’s affairs, and “what it is to serve and be a veteran.”
“Some give some, and some give all,” Harper said.
“As time went on, some people have given everything they can for the safety of our country, protection of our fellow Americans, and the youth of today,” he said, noting that “less than 10 percent of our population are veterans.
“We are part of a great fraternity,” he said.
“We recognize veterans when we see them in their uniforms,” Linda Young, of the American Legion Post 100 Auxiliary, said, “but when we see a homeless guy, or just someone in their street clothes, we don’t recognize that they’re veterans too.”
Young urged the audience to thank veterans for their service and to recognize that veterans are everywhere, not just in parades or at special celebrations.
Joyce Stark, also of the Post 100 Auxiliary, recognized members of the armed forces who are currently missing in action or are prisoners of war, before Bill Hollingsworth and Tom Townsend, both of Post 100, recognized local veterans who passed away this year.
The ceremony concluded with American Legion members conducting a 21-gun salute as Maryville High School music teacher Jeremy Krug and senior band member Aiden Calfee played “Taps.”
ALANNA WOLF Staff Writer
Rick Smail, center left, and Rex Wallace, received special awards from American Legion Post 100 Commander Bill Young Wednesday morning during the Nodaway County Veterans Day ceremony. Smail and Wallace were recognized by the American Legion for helping Legion members during various celebrations.
