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Community Comes Together To Salute Those Who Served

Veterans A Brotherhood, Sisterhood ‘Like No Other’

By ERIC AYRES 5 min read

WHEELING -- The Wheeling area community filled the lobby of WesBanco Arena on Thursday to salute men and women who share a very special common bond -- their selfless service to the nation.

Marking the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, Thursday's Veterans Day ceremony drew former military service members from all branches, of all ages and from all walks of life.

As noted by the event's keynote speaker, retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Mike "Smiles" Bucchi, the faces of the American veterans are changing, but the special qualities of their character and unwavering devotion to their country always remain unchanged.

"There is something very unique about us as veterans," Bucchi said. "We have a closeness and a bond that others do not share. We have a brotherhood and a sisterhood that is like no other. We are a family, we are a community and we are brothers and sisters in arms.

"We put our lives on the line for our country and for each other, and that's what separates us from so many others. We were willing to give our lives for our country and for our fellow soldiers and for our community."

Bucchi retired from active duty in 2003, completing a highly decorated military career that spanned more than 30 years. Highlights from Bucchi's career include his service as a naval aviator, fleet pilot and Top Gun instructor for the Navy Fighter Weapons School. He went on to serve in command roles during tours in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort. He amassed more than 6,000 total flight hours and more than 1,000 carrier arrested landings in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, and served a total of 33 combat missions.

At the time of his retirement from military service, he was commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, responsible for operations in all waters from the West Coast of the United States to the International Date Line, commanding all of the fleet's aircraft carriers, ships, air wings and personnel.

A lot has changed since he hung up the uniform, he said.

"The veteran landscape is changing today," Bucchi noted, sharing that veterans today make up less than 7% of the adult population in the country, while in 1980 that number was 18%. "It's getting smaller."

And it's also getting much younger.

Older veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam -- those who many people often envision when the title of "veteran" is mentioned -- no longer make up the bulk of living former military service members today, he explained.

"The biggest group of vets that we have now are those from the Gulf War and the post-9/11 groups," Bucchi said. The average age of that larger group of post-Sept. 11 veterans is only about 37, while the average age of soldiers on any given flight deck today is around 19.

Bucchi received a standing ovation from the crowd upon his introduction Thursday, and before the program ended, master of ceremonies H. Keith Brown, commander of American Legion Post #1, was tipped off to the fact that it was also Bucci's birthday. So the entire crowd joined in singing "Happy Birthday" to him and helping showcase why he carries the nickname "Smiles."

Following his retirement from active military duty, Bucchi worked in the private sector for many years, serving as president of Ocean Systems Engineering Corporation and working in executive roles for other technology firms until his retirement in 2015. He became an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Harding University, and later began serving on the board of advisors for Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit organization that provides custom-built, mortgage-free homes and home modifications to wounded, ill and injured veterans, their widows and their families.

Brown said a donation would be given to Bucchi's organization on behalf of American Legion Post #1, the nation's oldest post.

Several speakers from various legion posts and auxiliaries took the podium and talk about veterans and their needs, which go beyond housing and physical health care.

"Many veterans don't know that they are not OK," said John Powell, past department commander of the American Legion, Department of West Virginia, noting that mental health care is a serious issue that needs to be brought out into the open by the community and by veterans themselves. "We as veterans are not used to asking for help. We're used to being the ones that everybody calls. But sometimes, the veteran needs help also."

From nagging nightmares to thoughts of suicide, mental health challenges among veterans has become an increasing problem, Powell said.

"We need to let them know that you aren't alone in this fight," he stressed. "You weren't alone overseas, and you aren't alone now."

Others participating in Thursday's patriotic salute to veterans included the Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, who led the invocation; Chaplain Larry Bloomfield of American Legion Post #1, who delivered the benediction; and members of the West Liberty University Choir, whose voices echoed through the arena lobby with patriotic selections.

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