photo by: Eric Ayres

Tom Abell, commander of American Legion Post 1 in Wheeling, welcomes a full house to the WesBanco Arena lobby on Tuesday during a Veterans Day service.

WHEELING — Patriots of all ages gathered in Wheeling on Tuesday to salute those who have answered the call and gave service to the nation.

The American Legion Veterans Day Service was held at WesBanco Arena, where American Legion Post 1 in Wheeling — the oldest Legion post in the United States — hosted scores of special guests.

One honored guest was 101-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Lt. Joseph Gompers, who served during World War II. Dozens of other U.S. military veterans – serving during wartime and peace time – were also recognized.

Other guests during Tuesday’s ceremony included around 150 students and chaperones from Weirton Madonna High School. The group had originally scheduled a field trip to the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., for Veterans Day, but the 9/11 landmark is a national park and was closed because of the lingering government shutdown.

The students ended up making alternative visits during the day, including a stop to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony in Wheeling.

photo by: Eric Ayres

Students from Weirton Madonna High School attend a Veterans Day service presented by American Legion Post 1 in Wheeling Tuesday at WesBanco Arena.

Held at the “11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month,” this annual day of remembrance was originally marked by Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of World War I at that very time and date in 1918. Veterans speaking during Tuesday’s ceremony noted that Congress changed the name of the annual observance in 1954 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day — a federal holiday.

The featured guest speaker for the ceremony was The Honorable Frank Vitale, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for West Virginia. Appointed by the Secretary of the Army and sworn into office at the Pentagon last December, Vitale’s service as a Special Government Employee has led him to work in an advisory role to commanders, the secretary and the chief of staff of the Army.

Vitale, a former officer with the U.S. Army Reserve and West Virginia Army National Guard, is a Morgantown-based business owner who provides counsel to the Army leadership and serves as a community liaison between the military and communities across the Mountain State.

“West Virginia has always punched above its weight when it comes to military service,” Vitale said. “Today, our state ranks among the highest per capita for military service, a reflection of the deep patriotism and the love of country that define who we are as West Virginians.”

Vitale reminded the audience on hand — especially the students — that “freedom is never free, and it never will be.” That point should never be forgotten, and needs to be carried into future generations, he noted.

“Our nation has endured because men and women have always been willing to stand watch, willing to face danger so that others may live in peace,” he said.

Americans must honor veterans not only in words, but in their actions, Vitale added. This can be done through service to others and through civic engagement.

Tom Abell, commander of American Legion Post #1, served as master of ceremonies for Tuesday’s event. Several speakers from the American Legion, VFW Post 4442 and Legion Auxiliary were among the participants in Tuesday’s patriotic ceremony. Rabbi Joshua Lief of Temple Shalom provided the invocation and the Rev. Kenneth Hardway of First Christian Church delivered the benediction. Robert “Moose” Dodrill sang a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

Participants help set tables in front of the audience in commemoration of those who were prisoners or war or missing in action during their military service. Students helped set the military child’s table setting, as well, acknowledging the impact that military service has on the families of those who serve.

Officials noted that another way to honor veterans is to celebrate the freedoms they provide all Americans – and to do so together.

“Let us set aside division – which we have plenty of in this country today – and recommit to the principles that bind us together: liberty, justice and mutual respect,” Vitale said. “Because when America stands united, there is no force in the world that can defeat us.”