Veterans Day can be bittersweet.
For some, it means a day off of school or work, and the chance to march down Court Street in Athens’ Veterans Day Parade.
For others, it’s a day of remembrance for loved ones who died in service.
But a feeling of patriotism was seemingly universal among the several hundred attendees at Athens’ Veterans Day celebrations.
Being honored Monday were county veterans who served in wars ranging from the ongoing one in Afghanistan to as far back as World War II. Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl and several local veterans spoke at the ceremony, which included a performance by the Alexander High School Band.
Athens-area resident and World War II veteran Don Slagle said he comes to the Veterans Day parade every year, and this was the largest turnout he’s seen.
“It’s surprising because of all the types of people you’ve got together here,” said Slagle, who served in the Marines from 1943-46.
The parade began at 10 a.m. and traveled from Morris Avenue to East State Street, making a right on to Carpenter Street before taking its grand stride down Court Street and ending at the Soldiers and Sailor Monument on College Green.
Lou Horvath, a Vietnam war veteran who served from 1968-70 as an intelligence analyst, gave the Veterans Day address at the ceremony and urged the public to not forget the “veteran next door.”
“Service, not heroism, is the key for that veteran next door,” Horvath said during his address. “You do not honor veterans by simply saying everyone was a hero; you honor a veteran by showing respect and appreciation for their service.”
Slagle is a freelancer for The Athens Messenger.
After the parade, several veterans had a quick, personal ceremony in front of the Vietnam veterans plaque on the front of the courthouse; the plaque was dedicated in 1982 to the 40 Athens County residents who died in Vietnam.
“It’s a very emotional event,” said Jerry Sullivan, an Athens County Vietnam veteran who served from 1968-69 and received two purple hearts. “They’re listed in alphabetical order, and my brother-in-law is first on the list: Rick Anderson.”
The celebration elicited strong emotional responses from many in attendance, including Horvath.
“I’m just a veteran next door and we have taken care of our own from 1776 to the present,” he said, getting choked up. “However, the phrase, ‘thank you for your service’ goes a very long way.”
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