LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
PARIS—Monday, Nov. 11 offered some Edgar County residents a rare, three-day weekend with autumnal weather and much-needed rays of sunshine. But, for others, the brisk November day served as an opportunity to gather together and show respect to the men and women who have answered the call.
“Many people celebrate this day off of work and school by going out and doing things. In a way, that is very fitting. After all, we live in a free country. That is also what makes your presence here even more meaningful,” Rick Maples, commander of General Hill VFW Post 3601, said opening the city of Paris’ annual Veterans Day ceremony. The ceremony occurred at 11 a.m. on Monday at the War Memorial on the Edgar County Courthouse Square.
After an opening prayer, presentation of arms and pledge of allegiance, Maples quickly recognized the men and women in attendance who had served.
Maples told the citizens gathered and spread across South Main Street that Veteran’s Day serves as an opportunity to remember that “despite different beliefs and lifestyles, our desire for a better life has always united all of us. Every veteran who has proudly worn the uniform of our nation has served alongside countless individuals from different backgrounds.”
“We may have opposing viewpoints and differing opinions, yet all veterans put those differences aside to focus on the intrinsic values of freedom and liberty that bring us all together,” Maples said. “To my brothers and sisters here and veterans all around the world, I wish you a Happy Veterans Day and a sincere and heartfelt thank you.”
Maples and several members of the VFW Post were joined by representatives from the Elks, American Legion Post, women’s auxiliary unit, local Boy Scout troop members, numerous veterans and Edgar County residents in showing honor during a 21-gun salute.
Before relinquishing the podium to Post 211, Maples offered a final tribute to those who have, and are, wearing a uniform.
“Because you appreciate our American way of life, you understand the commitment to democratic government and the freedom we enjoy today is a force that is not free. The true cost of that freedom is a price most cannot even fathom,” he said.
“Veterans Day is not for veterans alone. When we serve our country, we do not serve to fulfill personal interests; we serve the national interests of the United States of America. This is a day for the entire county. We give honor to all of those who have served.”
Maples, a veteran himself, saw more than two decades of active military service, including stints in the Paris-based 1544th National Guard unit and combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. Standing before his hometown on Veterans Day, Maples said he had “a profound sense of pride, humility and gratitude.”
“I’ve been where many have been … serving our great county with unwavering dedication and facing the many challenges that come along with it,” he said.
Following Maples’ speech, Post 211 presented flowers to adorn the memorial monument. A representative from the Post provided an update on an ongoing war memorial update.
“We are getting ready right now to put the names in and make this one look just like the World War ll memorial,” they said. “Thank you for all of your donations … we are really looking forward to getting this thing really spruced up.”
Joining the Paris Cooperative High School band were various individuals, family and friends, local firefighters, police officers, first responders and a handful of retired servicemen and women who proudly stood at attention as the ceremony closed. Following the speeches, several supporters from the audience traveled with legion members to the Veterans Circle at the Edgar Cemetery and the Veteran Memorial in Kiwanis Park for a moment of silence and rifle salute in remembrance of the many sacrifices of Edgar County Veterans.