GAINESVILLE - This country's fallen soldiers, living veterans and those still serving in uniform were remembered in downtown Gainesville Monday morning.
About 50 people turned out for a Memorial Day service at Rock Creek Park.
The speaker was Father Thad B. Rudd, a former Veterans' Administration chaplain and a Desert Storm veteran who is the pastor of the Catholic church in Cleveland.
Father Rudd, addressing the veterans in his audience, said "probably when they called you, you did what you were supposed to do, you responded to the call and you did your job."
He went on to say that the most unpopular war U.S. soldiers fought in during the 20th Century, the Vietnam War, was not a waste of time and American lives as many people contend.
Father Rudd said "Vietnam is a much different place today than it would have been (without the Vietnam War). It may not be what we wanted, but (because we were there) it is having to live up to world standards."
With the U.S. and the POW/MIA flags flying at half-staff, two wreathes were laid at a monument in the park dedicated to the veterans of the United States' 20th Century wars - World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm.
The victims of 9-11 and those serving in the war on terrorism were also remembered.
The ceremony was sponsored by four Gainesville veterans organizations: the American Legion, Disable American Veterans, VFW, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Saturday
October 5th, 2024
7:41PM
