The Georgia War Veterans Home (GWVH) hosted its largest event of the year on Nov. 10 in celebration of Veterans Day.
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and on earlier occurrences, unknown soldiers were also buried in England and France in each nation’s “highest place of honor.” These ceremonies took place on Nov. 11, “giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918,” according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
In 1926, this day would become known as Armistice Day, and later in 1954, Veterans Day. Since this congressional act, Nov. 11 has been a day to recognize veterans and honor those who continue to fight for prosperity and freedom.
The Georgia War Veterans Home is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide skilled nursing care to aged and infirm Georgia war veterans.
According to the GWVH Activities Director Michelle Flood, their Veterans Day celebration is the largest event of the year for both the veterans and the community.
From Baldwin County Commissioners Henry Craig and Emily Davis to the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services Dr. Patricia Ross, people from across the state come to visit the home to honor and thank the veterans living at the facility.
“The event is important to our veterans because it brings the community to the residents. A lot of times they feel like they are disconnected from the community, so it makes it real for them to see all of these people love them and honor their service,” said Flood.
Beginning that morning at 11 a.m. Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired), and Pastor Derrell McIntosh of Green Grove Baptist Church opened the ceremony with a prayer. The Wilkinson County Air Force Junior ROTC then did a Presentation of Colors. Following this, USMC Veteran Centurion and a GWVH resident Lance Corporal Robert Rakestraw led the pledge of allegiance and STGi Director of Detention Health Angelyn Mize sang the national anthem.
Moving into special guests, the president of the Old Capital Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association Donald Nau presented his chapter’s Certificate of Appreciation to Jane Barnard for her volunteer work at the Georgia War Veterans Home.
Then, Ms. Georgia Senior America 2023 Rebecca Berry-Holiff sang “America the Beautiful” and later “God Bless America.” Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan also read a proclamation from the city to local veterans before Ross took the podium as the keynote speaker of the event.
“I too come from a military family… a long line of servicemen who received Purple Hearts and were in wars like you. So today, it gives me great pleasure to read this proclamation on behalf of the City of Milledgeville,” said Parham-Copelan.
The proclamation gives gratitude to the “great price and ongoing commitment required to preserve liberty, justice, and democracy” by deeming Nov. 11 Veterans Day within the City of Milledgeville.
The proclamation reads, “We live in a democracy where each citizen enjoys unparalleled freedoms because of the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America…there are over 600,000 veterans in the state of Georgia, many of whom live in this community who by their leadership, strength of character, and continued devotion to the highest ideals of citizenship constitute a foundation on which the strength and progress of our city, our state, and our nation rest.”
On the same ideals spoken about in the proclamation, keynote speaker Ross also highlighted the sacrifices, commitments, and strengths that veterans stand for. After 25 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, Ross retired as a colonel in October 2014.
She served as the chief operating officer of the Veterans Education Career Transaction Resource, a center that provides veterans and their families a getaway into Georgia’s public technical colleges and universities, from 2016 to 2021. In Nov. 2021, she was selected as the commissioner of Veteran Services.
With this extended experience as a service woman both in and out of the armed forces, within her speech, she calls for a close of the “military to civilian divide,” a divide caused by fewer and fewer families having a direct connection to the armed forces or local veterans.
“The Georgia War Veterans Home is a very special place to me…I can think of nothing better to do than celebrate Veterans Day not only today but every day because we owe our freedom to those who have worn our nation’s uniform,” said Ross. “Support towards our veterans is waning. It is up to us to support the mission and our veterans…So, I want to encourage each veteran to tell their story and for us to pass on those stories. It is our moral obligation to support our veterans and their families, not just today but every day.”
Concluding the ceremony, the GWVH led the “Veterans Platoon,” a parade the veteran residents and other local veterans take part in while the crowd salutes and waves American Flags at them.
According to Flood, it is one of the most memorable moments for many of the residents and a cherished memory each year, as they are shown that not only their past sacrifices but their current commitments are still cared for and honored.
“In essence, it is a national security imperative. If we do not care for our veterans, how will our up-and-coming armed forces and those currently in service expect to be cared for in the future? How will our current veterans expect to be cared for if we continue to forget?” asked Ross. “That is why we must continue to connect, tell these stories, and encourage others to take up the mantle of freedom and serve.”