Adelia Ladson
MOULTRIE — It was a wet and chilly day for the Veterans Day ceremonies on the courthouse square but there were many citizens present to take part in the occasion.
Retired Col. Hoyt Holland was master of ceremonies and he started by welcoming some of the local dignitaries including Sen. Saxby Chambliss, School Superintendent Leonard McCoy, Colquitt County Commission Chairman Benny Alderman and Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh.
He introduced American Legion Post 324 Service Officer Clem Weldon, who led the group in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
Weldon also gave a brief history of how Veterans Day came into being. He reminded the audience that World War I ended on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour — a holiday known then as Armistice Day — and when Veterans Day was changed to the fourth Monday of October, many people were upset. He said this was the reason it was changed back to this significant date.
Sunset Elementary School fifth grade students, holding miniature American flags, gave a performance of “America the Beautiful,” under the direction of David May.
Then, Holland introduced the Rev. Wayne Woods, pastor of First Baptist Church, as the guest speaker for the ceremony. He told the group that Woods was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a pilot.
“I’ve never been a part of a community that observes Veterans Day the way Moultrie does,” he said.
He said that was another reason that he was glad that he had moved to Moultrie. He spoke about the many wars the United States has been involved in and the “vigilance” of the United States in preserving freedom.
“... With that vigilance comes a price,” he said.
There were people who were willing to pay that price, he also said.
He referenced the song performed by the students and how he remembered that it had given him chills to hear the Naval band play it when he was serving.
“I’m grateful today for the young people that are here,” he said.
He said he wanted them to understand the sacrifices that were made and wants them to “pick up the mantle.” He said occasions like this would help them do that.
“Our freedom was not won at a cheap cost and won’t be maintained at a cheap cost,” he said.
He said he was there to honor every veteran and encouraged the audience to lean over and say “thank you” the next time they saw someone who had served their country.
At the end of his presentation, Holland thanked him and told him that he had brought tears to his eyes.
“It’s affected me if it didn’t affect anyone else,” said Holland.
Members of American Legion Posts 533 and 324 laid wreaths in honor, along with Women’s Federated Guild, DAR and the Veterans Activities Bus.
The ceremony ended with veteran Johnny Shiver playing Taps.
