Hands shaking, they carefully carried the flags.
The physical strength they once possessed was replaced by wrinkles and gray hair, marking the color guard as men of experience.
They knew the flags they so uprightly held bared the symbol of 25 million.
Twenty-five million.
The number of soldiers.
The number of loved ones.
The number of men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that others may live in freedom.
And it was with 25 million in mind that the color guard posted their flags last night in Heckman auditorium.
For they knew no matter how shaky their hands might get, pride can never be shaken.
Though Wednesday’s ceremony honored all veterans, special tribute was given to Sgt. Michael Scusa, a former Crete resident, who died Oct. 3 in Afghanistan.
Scusa’s father, George, a Crete police officer, was presented with a Gold Star to honor his son.
George Scusa declined to comment but Brig. Gen. Judd Lyons said the country owes people like Scusa a great deal.
“Their service and sacrifice must be remembered,” Lyons said. “Today, their families deserve our everlasting respect and gratitude.”
Yet as current soldier, senior Mark Harms said Veteran’s Day took on a new significance.
“It opens your eyes to what you do take for granted at school,” Harms said. “You take life a lot more seriously going away and coming back.”
While Veteran’s Day is recognized as a national holiday, Doane Chaplain Karla Cooper, who gave the invocation at the ceremony, said the holiday was not really a celebration.
“It’s interesting to even use the word celebration,” Cooper said. “I think it’s more of a solemn remembrance...it’s always important to remember our past and our future and certainly we stand upon the shoulders of those who have made it easier for us to experience freedom.”
Harms said he would graduate in December and head to basic training in January, but even for the short time he had been involved, the armed services already had changed his life.
“You’re definitely connected to it because you know…people that have passed away or are overseas, you know, they have stories, and it changes a person,” Harms said.
Though the auditorium had veterans scattered throughout the seating, Col. Steve Hensel, Crete police chief and presenter, said veterans of all ages have a certain character: a character rooted in bravery.
“Through untold courage and sacrifice America’s veterans have secured our victory whenever and wherever the nation is called,” Hensel said. “In times of darkness and danger as well as in times of peace and prosperity, America’s veterans have been there.”
Each year Veteran’s Day approaches and celebrations are held throughout the nation, yet President Jonathan Brand said remembering one day was not enough.
Veterans must always be remembered.
“It’s easy to go into a classroom and study hard,” Brand said. “It’s much harder to go out into the theatre of war and commit yourself to the greatest sacrifice possible -- and we should never lose sight of that.”
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