Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith told attendees at Wednesday’s Logan County Veterans Day ceremony that during his service in the U.S. Air Force, the Lee Greenwood song, “God Bless the U.S.A. (Proud to be An American)” would send chills down the spine and a tear to the eye for he and his fellow service members.
It is that pride in country and being united under the flag that the speaker challenged those in attendance to consider and hopefully aspire to, at a time when he said politics and other current issues tend to divide groups of people and create friction.
“I’d like to challenge us on Veterans Day to have one mission of bringing harmony to our nation, that has been through so much lately,” he said.
“While we have our rights and freedom to discuss our viewpoints, at the end of the day, we should strive to be united under one flag. The song reminds us of the sacrifices made to get where we are today and those freedoms that we have.”
Dr. Smith said he loved his time serving in the Air Force and related that he felt united with his fellow service members in the common cause, working alongside “people of all races and backgrounds.”
The 24-year educator, who has also worked for Ashland City Schools and Mansfield City Schools, said his U.S. Air Force division created aircraft that supported Operation Desert Storm. He also related that his daughter has recently entered into service with the U.S. Navy.
Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler also addressed attendees, relating that Veterans Day is observed Nov. 11 to honor the 1918 cease fire of World War I — on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
He noted that the Harold Kerr American Legion Post 173 also was formed that year, named after a local World War I veteran who was killed during the war.
“Americans must never forget the sacrifices made to defend our country,” the mayor said. “We thank our service members for bravely doing what they were called to do, so that we can have the freedom to do what we want to do.
“We salute our veterans and their families who stand behind them.”
American Legion Post Commander Tim Shaw, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, also encouraged those in attendance to keep a watchful eye on their veteran friends and family members, as suicide rates have recently skyrocketed among veterans and others during the pandemic.
“We need to check on our veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but every day,” he said.