About 50 people braved the chilly weather in Gainesville Saturday morning to pay tribute to military service members for Veterans Day.
Hall County Superior Court Judge Jason Deal was the speaker for the 2017 event at Rock Creek Park just north of the Downtown Gainesville Square.
Deal said many Americans fail to realize that active duty members of the military have to give up some of the very freedoms they defend. He read aloud the oath each service member takes at the time of enlistment.
"When a person stands to take that oath, they give up a lot of the freedoms that they agree to protect for others," Deal said."For instance, when a person joins the military, they give up a lot of freedom of choice...they give up their First Amendment rights. They can't say whatever they want...they give up that right when they go on active duty."
Deal also pointed out that those who serve in the military put their lives on the line for the freedoms of others.
"Today we honor our veterans because they willingly stand and take the oath knowing that they may be called upon to lose everything in our protect our Constitution, our country, our way of life," Deal said.
Deal paid tribute to veterans who fought and served overseas and to those who serve actively in the United States.
The observance at Rock Creek Veterans Park is held every year on Veterans Day and is sponsored by local veterans groups in Gainesville and Hall County.
