Ohio Valley Veterans Appreciate Community’s Thanks
BETHLEHEM -- Movie stars and top athletes might do cool things, but students at Bethlehem Elementary School were told Wednesday the real heroes might just be the person sitting next to them on the family couch.
The school and its students celebrated veterans Wednesday with a "Donuts and Dog Tags" event outside the school.
Students invited their favorite veterans to the breakfast -- be it their dad, grandpa, uncle or neighbor.
"The gratitude is appreciated," said veteran Harry Chalfant of Bethlehem, who spent 22 years in the military. "Ever since I joined, the appreciation and love for our troops has skyrocketed and let off."
He said he remembers while serving the number of care packages troops received from those at home.
After returning, organizations still have helped veterans by building wheelchair ramps into the homes of those who need them — or even building them actual housing.
"The reception has been overwhelming," Chalfant said.
While Veterans Day observations are held across the Ohio Valley and beyond today, local veterans reflected on what the day means for them, personally. Amidst the flags and services, the veterans themselves remember their time in the service and those they served alongside.
Adam Truex, a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who is active in the local veteran community, said the day sees him reflect on the sacrifices of all those in the armed forces, including those who gave more than he did.
"Every Veterans Day, I think of the people I knew in the Navy, and the things they went through, and the sacrifices they and their families made," Truex said.
Truex added that he truly appreciates the community observances of Veterans Day, which reflects very highly on the local communities and their people. Truex added that he wishes more veterans would get the opportunity to share their personal stories — something he realizes is difficult for many to do, but that he feels is important for their well-being.
"I think it's important for more people to tell their story. I know veterans have a hard time doing that, because we don't really talk about that stuff," he said. "When we do, we water a lot of it down. But it's important, especially with Iraq and Afghanistan, you're talking about decades of war. We have to find a way for those folks to be able to tell a more accurate story of what they went through, what they sacrificed, and what their comrades sacrificed.
"It's good to see the community recognizing, it means a lot to those who did. A lot of times, you go do your job, and nobody says 'thank you' because that's what you do in the military. We just do what we're told, and that's it. To have these events, it's nice."
Truex joined the Navy in 1992, right out of high school, and was on active duty for eight years. During that time, he served as a cryptologist. In 2000, Truex went into the active reserves, just ahead of Sept. 11. Though he was not mobilized in the reserves, Truex worked closely with the intelligence community.
"It was a rough point, where we were on a 72-hour mobilization recall. I could get a call and be mobilized anywhere in the world," he said.
Veteran Ryan McQuaid of Bethlehem indicated sometimes the show of support can be too much for those who just wanted to anonymously help their country.
"We receive great support, and it's appreciated," he said. "It's hard when you give that much of your life to something, and it's tough.
"I feel 100% supported, and it's really nice."
Nikki Weingard said that Veterans Day observances can sometimes come across as overwhelming, but considers the alternative faced with service personnel returning from the Vietnam war, where returning soldiers were sometimes met with a cold reception.
"I do appreciate it, sometimes I think it can be overwhelming, but it's definitely appreciated. I know, especially for the Vietnam-era veterans, they didn't get it when they came home," Weingard said. "It's a little bit different for the Iraq-Afghanistan era of veterans, ... but for our Vietnam-era veterans, I totally get that. They didn't get the welcome home celebrations, and it wasn't a good vibe when they came back, so I definitely think it's awesome."
The proliferation of observances, especially at the school level, was a particularly positive note, said Weingard, who served in the Army from 2003 to 2011, during which time she served a tour in Iraq from 2009 to 2010 with the First Cavalry Division.
"With kids, it's a very important part of their education, to understand what it is that we do, and to know we exist in the community. I really enjoy it."
Veteran T.C. Smith was all smiles during the event at Bethlehem Elementary, and greeted his granddaughter Gracie Delbert.
"I am so glad I made it, and that you invited me," he told her. "I'm so glad to see you."
Principal Stacy Dietz welcomed the veterans, and had a message for the students present.
"These are the true heroes," she said. "It's not the people you see on TV, in movies, or pop singers and basketball players. Right here are your true heroes.
"I hope you realize these guys are givers, and they've given so much."
Also in attendance was U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia. She mentioned that her father, former Gov. Arch Moore, had been a World War II veteran.
"I want to say to you all thank you for your service, and thank you for respecting your country," she told the veterans. "The freedoms we have today to gather today, work and pray, worship and sing how we wish, is something these men have fought for. We are eternally grateful to them, the ones who came before them and the ones who will come after them."
Darren Cofer, an Army medic in Afghanistan, said he takes the time to express his appreciation to other veterans. Cofer said he, personally, appreciates the show of support from those in the community, and returns that it was his privilege to be able to serve.
"Getting the support that I receive from families and friends, and the local community — everyone here's always been very grateful, and very boisterous about letting us all know that," he said.
"Whenever somebody comes up and thanks me for my service, I always say — and I mean this, wholeheartedly — that it was a true honor. It was a true honor to get to serve this country, and to serve the people in the local community, also."
Iraq Army and Marine Corps veteran Joel Nicholson, after considering for some time, added that he appreciates Veterans Day as a means to show appreciation for a group of people whose status may not always be apparent.
"A lot of times people don't realize you're a veteran unless you wear a hat, or a shirt, or something else to identify that," Nicholson said. "A lot of times, if you do, people will say, 'Thank you for your service.' It's not something you're looking for, but it's nice to hear that there are people out there that care.
"… Those things, they mean a lot. All veterans sacrificed, but some sacrificed more than others, and if a veteran's having a bad day or something, that means a lot."