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Veterans, supporters are thanked at Toronto event

By WARREN SCOTT 4 min read

TORONTO -- While the overall emphasis at Toronto American Legion Post 86's Veterans Day service was on the sacrifices made by all military veterans, some thanks were given to the many who support them.

As guest speaker, state Sen. Frank Hoagland, a former Navy SEAL, acknowledged Blue Star families, those with one or more members serving in the Armed Forces, and Gold Star families, those with a member who died in the line of duty.

Hoagland said in his 21 years in the Navy, "I don't think I spent more than 30 days with my wife."

He noted families with one member in the military often have multiple members. Veterans in his own family include his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, brothers and sons.

Post 86 Second Vice Commander David Rhodes, who served as master of ceremonies, said, "Behind every veteran you see today one person is always there. And that person is a wife. They've got to be recognized, and they have to be thanked."

Rhodes also acknowledged the role that first responders play in protecting Americans in their communities and introduced City Police Chief Charley Daniels and Clark Crago, TEMS Joint Ambulance District director, who expressed their appreciation to veterans for their service.

Hoagland said his experience in the service wasn't always easy but he is better for it, having learned "to be on time, in the right uniform and with the right attitude."

'We learned to never give up, to stay in the fight. You had to. Your buddies counted on it," he said.

Hoagland said he and other veterans need to impress upon today's youth the freedoms for which the U.S. stands and the need for individuals to defend them.

"Thanks to every veteran, American remains free. Let's keep it that way," he advised.

Rhodes said he and others wanted to ensure local youth were involved in the program so they could understand the sacrifices America's veterans have made.

In addition to the Toronto High School Band, which performed the national anthem and other patriotic music, participants included Toronto Junior High School students Cole Kuric, who read a poem about veterans written by his grandmother, Shirley Jones Wanger, and Milana Busby, who read a poem with the same theme by Kuric.

During the service, Pat Green, the post's judge advocate, and Post Commander Kent Leasure presented the Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission award to Rhodes.

An Army veteran, Rhodes served in the Army in Vietnam's highland regions of Dak To and Pleiku at a time when American and South Vietnamese troops were engaged in intense and bloody fighting against North Vietnam at the borders between the two countries.

A past commander of Post 86, he noted he follows the late Jefferson County sheriff Fred Abdalla, the first Toronto resident to receive the honor.

"It's hard to follow in his footsteps," Rhodes said, while adding, "Two in a row. I hope we can go three in a row."

He shared a poem written by disabled Vietnam veteran George Skypeck. Entitled "Soldier," it includes the lines:

"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do."

It closes with, "I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was … a soldier."

Rhodes noted that no veteran leaves the war behind them, it always comes home with them, but it was especially difficult for those who returned from Vietnam to indifference or distaste.

He told attendees, "It's up to you. It's totally up to you. Don't let history repeat itself."

Also participating in the service were Norm Winstel, a Vietnam Marine Corps veteran; and Goldie Litva, chaplain for the post's auxiliary; who offered prayers; Tammy Spicer, who performed patriotic music; Mayor John Parker, who delivered a welcome; Tom Lowery of the Sons of the American Legion, and Mary Dacko, auxiliary president, who joined Leasure in placing wreaths near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

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