The Rock Creek Veterans Group hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday to honor local heroes who served their country.
Rain and wind did not hinder people from showing up to honor those who served ahead of Veterans Day.
Members of the Rock Creek Veterans including Charles Dickey, Thomas Haley and Jimmy Thompson placed the Vietnam wreath in front of the Vietnam Veterans memorial.
Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon addressed the event and stressed the importance of recognizing all veterans, including those in non-combat roles.
“Without somebody who is in logistics, without somebody who is steering the ship, without somebody who is the mechanic on the equipment, those glamor jobs don't happen,” Couvillon said. “It takes people of all walks, of all duties to make our military work, and I want each and every one of you to know, no matter what you did or what you do, that we appreciate your service. Thank you very much.”
Former Governor Nathan Deal was the keynote speaker of the ceremony and he discussed the sacrifice veterans make when they decide to serve.
“I want to leave you with one idea of what the definition of a veteran is. A veteran is someone who gave up a portion of their freedom to serve, to protect the freedom of all of us. And you say, Well, what does that mean? I will tell you what it means. It means that if you are in service, you don't get to decide whether or not you feel like going to work today or not. You don't get to decide whether or not you are going to take a vacation next month or not. You don't even get to decide whether or not you get to go home and visit your parents on their birthdays,” Deal said. “You have to have get the government's permission to do so. So as a veteran, you have given up that degree of your freedom of choice on issues that govern your life and placed them in the hands of your government that you serve, and the government makes choices for you.”
Deal took time to honor the families of service members.
“I needed to be reminded of it by one of my family members. They said, You know, it's not just the soldier or the sailor or the airman, who who serves as being a veteran, it's the family members. It's the mama who takes care of all the children while the father is gone. It is the parent who takes care of someone that would otherwise have been taken care of by the person who is gone in service, it's the child who grows up while their parent is gone for extended periods of time,” Deal said. “So we have a community of individuals, and I think in that regard, that definition, and I think they need to be regarded as veterans as well, in that definition of this broader encompassing of all of those who are a part of a having someone serve, I guarantee You that everyone here fits that definition. You're all veterans. You have done your part to make it possible for our country to remain strong, and thank you for allowing me to be with you today.”
After the ceremony concluded, flowers were placed at the crosses around the park with the names of veterans.
The Rock Creek Veterans put up 372 handmade crosses around Gainesville honoring those who have served.
