Generations come together for Veterans Day

The News Enterprise
November 12, 2009
By JOHN FRIEDLEIN

RADCLIFF — The past and the future came together Wednesday during a local Veterans Day ceremony.

From World War II vets to fourth-graders, a crowd gathered in the breezy sunshine at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central to honor America's military.

Photo by Jill Pickett John Freetly salutes as the flag is posted Wednesday during the Veterans Day program at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central in Radcliff. Freetly served in both the Army and the Air Force.

Ret. Col. J.W. Thurman of Elizabethtown said during the program he is thankful the students attended, and that they are being taught how to honor those who have served for them. "What a way to raise children."

During his speech, the Vietnam War veteran recounted sacrifices made throughout American military history. Of the most recent conflict, he said "our soldiers are in fact sacrificing dearly" in the War on Terror.

"We are truly blessed to have those young men and women step forward," he said. Some of them have been deployed four or five times.

Referring to those who served in World War II, he said, "I think as they leave this world, they're being replaced by another Great Generation."

Also on Wednesday at the cemetery, there was a wreath laying, playing of Taps and a Fort Knox Girl Scout troop placed flags on graves and sang the national anthem.

Also in attendance were Elizabethtown Christian Academy students. Some had relatives buried there, so they planned to visit their graves, teacher Teddi Embrey said.

During the program, the youths held up signs of support, such as: "Thanks for all you do."

Embrey, a retired Air Force major, said she wanted to educate the kids on their responsibility for the future — and "let the older veterans see that the younger kids do care."

Kelsey Neugent expressed her appreciation for those fighting for the country.

"I love America so much," she said.