Those attending Bowling Green’s Veterans Day 2009 ceremony on Saturday were encouraged "to seek out
the veterans around you."
"Take time to get to know their story," said keynote speaker Stewart T. Orr. "I am sure
you will both benefit by sharing" their stories.
The retired major in the Army Reserve delivered the Veterans Day address in the atrium of the Wood County
Courthouse. (Photo: The 14th O.V.I./3rd Ark. Regiment firing their guns during Veterans Day Ceremonies
at the Wood County Court House. 11/7/09 (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune))
"We have a lot to be thankful for as we look at the many and varied sacrifices our service men and
women have given us. We always seem to have a hero handy in our time of need. Our ideals seem to bring
out the best in our soldiers."
Orr shared a few stories of some of our nation’s Medal of Honor winners. But he added that "all our
veterans are worthy of our respect, admiration and thanks. Their cumulative sacrifices and their
dedication to our country are why we are here."
Whenever he visits the VA hospital in Ann Arbor he sees "many men with disabilities. I am often
compelled to thank them for their service. I am humbled to be among them."
Each visit reminds him that "freedom is not free."

Those wounded during service to our country "may be damaged physically, but the men I meet cannot be
said to be broken. I am inspired by their attitude. They are proud of their service. They always hold
their heads a little higher when they tell me what unit there were in."
Orr concluded by thanking those in attendance for Saturday’s program.
"It is significant that you chose to be here" to honor the men and women who served their
country.
Both Orr and Pastor John Randall in his invocation asked those in attendance on Saturday to pray for
those killed and wounded the day before at Fort Hood and their families.
Also participating in the ceremony was Robert K. Vincent, who sang "God Bless America" and
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and David Ridenour, master of ceremonies.
Terry Brown gave the reading during the folding of the American Flag by Art Akeman and Robert Wink.
Akeman then presented the flag to Mary Hanna, who was praised by Brown for her years of serving local
veterans as executive director of the Wood County Veterans Assistance Center.
Hanna in turn praised the veterans. "Not once have I heard any veteran of any war say that they
regretted serving our country."
At the conclusion of the program inside the atrium, wreaths provided by the Paul C. Ladd VFW Post No.
1148, AMVETS 711, AMVETS Sons and American Legion Post No. 45 were placed at the war monuments outside
the courthouse. The program concluded with the firing of a salute to veterans by the 14th O.V.I./3rd
Ark. Regiment.