Heidelberg honors veterans’ sacrifices

As local veterans posted colors and raised the American flag, the Heidelberg community came together today to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.

 

The annual Veterans Day ceremony was organized by Kirk Shellhouse and Beau Thompson, members of Heidelberg’s Student Senate, with assistance from Campus Minister Paul Sittason Stark. Students, faculty, staff and community members heard from Tiffin Mayor Jim Boroff and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith A. Lanzinger. Congressman Bob Latta also attended.

 

Boroff paid tribute to “ordinary people” who left their homes and families to serve their country. “They gave part of their lives, some gave all of their life so we could be here living our lives,” he said. “We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude … thank you is all we can say.”

 

Lanzinger, the grateful daughter of a World War II veteran and the proud mother of an Iraq War veteran, said she is thankful her son is home and safe, and she wishes the same for every member of the armed forces.

 

“Each of us has someone special, someone in our hearts, someone in our memories,” she said. “Each has a story about the life of that person who decided to sacrifice for our country. They gave of themselves in ways most of us will never be able to understand.”

 

Yet, we know of their sacrifices carried out from love for country and their fellow citizens, she said. Most veterans have never been on the front pages of the newspaper and their names won’t be etched in history books, “but they are written forever in our hearts,” the judge said.

 

Members of the United Veterans Council participated in the ceremony, presenting the colors, firing a 21-cun salute and playing a solemn rendition of “Taps” to close the ceremony.

 

Rev. Stark offered the following prayer:

 

“God of justice and peace:

We gather to give thanks for men and women who sacrificed time, energy and even life in the cause of war. We especially pray for those in our military who serve today. We remember their commitment to our nation. And to truly honor their sacrifices we lift a prayer, a perpetual prayer for ‘peace in the world, for good will in the world, for mutual understanding between nations.’

 

“Keep us from myopic self-concern. May we do everything in our power to work for a world where resources are shared and the apparent need for arms is diminished. As our Congress acted in 1938, we dedicate this day to world peace. May it be so, Lord. May it be so. Amen.”

 

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