A Veterans Honor and Sacrifice

The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment. American Legion Post 288 of Groesbeck honored veterans with a Veterans Day ceremony Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Limestone County Courthouse.

To open and as a new addition to the annual ceremony, the Groesbeck High School Band performed a Veterans Day medley led by band director Collin Anderson.

An invocation was held by American Legion 2nd Vice Commander/Historian Robin York.

Immediately following, the Limestone County Young Marines presented the POW/ MIA flag to the front stage before the band continued with the playing of the National Anthem, with attention directed to either of the two flags one flying high above the courthouse and the other on the flag pole in the middle of the courthouse circle.

American Legion Commander Russ Foster welcomed the crowd and introduced local dignitaries, officials and law enforcement who were asked to stand; present were County Judge Richard Duncan, Sheriff Murray Agnew, Groesbeck Chief of Police Chris Henson, Groesbeck Police Sft. Josh Bell, many Limestone County deputies, county District Clerk Carol Jenkins, and former county Sheriff Dennis Wilson.

Duncan was invited to address the congregation on the special date, as a veteran himself.

“Thinking back to what makes a veteran ... the one thing that came to mind, as I am a veteran of the Marine Corp, the one thing we all have in common is waking up after bootcamp and wondering, ‘What have we done?’... but we all got through bootcamp and I think it has helped make us who we are today. So I want to say ‘thank you’ to all our veterans; it is meant with all the respect that you deserve for saying you will stand up and defend our country.”

The band then went on to perform the “Armed Forces medley” during which each veteran stood to show support of their branches.

Following the medley, Foster delivered an address about Veterans Day and the importance of honoring veterans and celebrating the freedom they have given us.

“Military service by its nature is temporary, but the legacy of those service hours can benefit generations, for centuries,” he said. “Veterans Day can be traced to the Armistice ,which ended WWI.

Though the peace of that treaty did not survive Hitler ... the freedom enjoyed by Europeans today is a result and sacrifice of many U.S. veterans.”

Foster went on to tell the story of Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. Puckett led the Eighth Army Ranger Company during the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions Nov. 25, 1950, when his company of 51 Rangers was attacked by several hundred Chinese forces at the battle for Hill 205.

‘’Without the sacrifice of veterans including Col. Puckett and freedom and democracy we enjoy today couldn’t have blossomed in Korea,’ South Korean President Moon Jae-in said earlier this year during a White House ceremony where Puckett received his welldeserved Medal of Honor,” Foster said.

Foster also shared a quote from Jeremiah Denton Jr., who was widely known for enduring almost eight years of grueling conditions as an American prisoner of war in North Vietnam after the A-6 Intruder he was piloting was shot down in 1965.

“If I had known when I was shot down that I would be there more than seven years, I would have died of despondency, of despair, but I didn’t. It was one minute at a time, one hour, one week, one year, and so on. If you look at it like that, anybody can do anything.”

Foster also spoke on the American Legion and how they can help.

“American Legion makes suicide prevention our top priority. Learn and remember the number 1-800-273-8255, Ext. 1, or come see your local American Legion, we are here for you.”

You can also visit and chat online at http://www. veteranscrisisline.net/

Foster closed the ceremony with the final stats.

“This is a stat that always amazes me when I see it,” Foster said. “Fewer than 10% of Americans can claim the title of veteran. Less than half of 1% of our population currently serve yet some seem intent, while trying to balance the federal budget, diminishing the quality of life programs decided for the families affected by their sacrifice. Veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on earth … it’s impossible to put a price tag on.”

The ceremony ended with the 21-gun salute by the American Legion members and “Taps” played by Charles Nance.

About American Legion Post 288

American Legion Post 288 was chartered in 1919. The post was re-chartered April 8, 1991. They encourage eligible veterans of all ages residing throughout Limestone County to become members. Officers say it is only through active participation that they can help improve and strengthen our communities.

Commander: Russ Foster, Vice-Commander: David Kale, 2nd Vice Commander/ Historian: Robin York, Adjutant: Don Beene, Chaplain: Clint Burleson, Finance Officer: Jim Howard, Judge Advocate: Daniel Burkeen, Sergeant-at-Arms: Glen Clark.