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Trisha Benton Randolph Times
RANDOLPH – Amidst the crash of the cymbals during “God Bless the USA” and the hands over heart simultaneous recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic pride rang out loud and clear during the annual Veterans Day program Friday.
Chris Beaty, Air Force veteran and past VFW state commander, and Elsie Gilliland, Randolph High School senior and winner of the Voices of Democracy essay contest, were the featured speakers.
Both spoke of the importance of taking the time to celebrate the freedoms veterans fought for - freedoms sometimes taken for granted.
“It’s our job as veterans to help ensure the true significance of this day isn’t lost in the noise of department store sales or everyday life. We must work to remind our nation that Veterans Day isn’t just another holiday. It’s a reminder of not only the commitment and sacrifice of all those who served but also the painstakenly high cost of freedom,” Beaty said.
America right now has its share of problems and there’s a hyper focus on its citizens’ differences, Beaty said.
“Yet, all veterans put aside those differences to focus on the intrinsic value of freedom that allows all of us to be different,” Beaty said.
The war for freedom will be an ongoing process, Gilliland said, and she encouraged her peers not to be complacent.
“It is up to us as the current generation to continue to address these issues and keep striving to align our country the legacies and ideals of our forefathers and achieve the ultimate goal of providing liberty and justice for all,” she said.
John Dickes was the master of ceremonies at Friday’s ceremony. Mayor Dwayne Schutt gave the welcome address and Doug Tunink gave the opening and closing prayers.
Student musical selections included the national anthem, “Yankee Doodle Dazzle,” “America, of Thee I Sing,” and “God Bless the USA.”
Prior to the program, veterans were served breakfast by high school students.
