Veterans Day speaker honors veterans’ sacrifice to God, country, family

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, 12:04 p.m. — Retired Brigadier Gen. Julius “Bud” Berthold reminded those attending Tuesday morning’s Veterans Day observance of the challenge our country faces today — of an enemy that wants to destroy American and our way of life — is nothing new to our country.

Though today’s enemies may not wear uniforms or follow typical military rules of engagement, but the threat is the same as our nation’s military has faced through the years.

The U.S. has helped other countries around the world in their times of need, Berthold said. “Our service to other nations has cost a lot of lives,” he said. “When you look back at the various wars we’ve been involved in, each time its been us going out to provide the freedoms and liberties of our neighbors.”

Berthold, the former deputy adjutant-general of the Kentucky National Guard, honored all veterans, and gave tribute to the World War II veterans in attendance. More than 4.2 veterans served during World War II, he said.

“We think about the sacrifice those folks made and we’re honored to be in their presence on this Veterans Day,” he said. “We honor those who serve, and those who support those who serve.”

Today’s enemies face terrorists who want to destroy American and our way of life “This is nothing new, and it falls upon us — the United States of America — to respond to help our neighbors.”

“It takes someone willing to serve their God, their country and their family, and that’s who we honor here today,” he said. “We have the greatest military in the world, and we are ready to fight for what is right.”

Monuments and memorials like the East Broadway Veterans Memorial are appropriate opportunities to honor the service of our community’s veterans, Berthold said.

Citing Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, Berthold noted that it is appropriate to dedicate parks, plazas walls to the memory of our veterans. Quoting Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, Berthold told the crowd “… we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”

Berthold, a veteran of the Vietnam War, honored those from our community who died during that war. Our veterans did not die in vain, however — we celebrate the freedom they died to protect each time we exercise our right to vote, he said.

The program was emceed by Kenny Fogle, the special events representative of American Legion Post 121 and sponsored by Post 121 as well as Posts 167 and 42.

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