Howard Postlewait had a tear in his eye and a lump in his throat during today’s dedication of Bridgeport’s newly-constructed Veterans Memorial.
Postlewait, who served the U.S. during the Korean War, said the ceremony – and the memorial which will now stand along Main Street – is very important to him. Memories of serving on the front lines are not good ones, but he said he would gladly do it again if he was asked to.
That’s the kind of selfless dedication and service to which the memorial pays tribute. And in Mayor Bob Greer’s opening remarks, he said it was long overdue.
“When Francis Scott Key wrote the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ almost 200 years ago, he called America, ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave.’ Those words are as true today as they
were then. Throughout this nation’s history, America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coastguardsmen have bravely answered the call to defend our freedom, to aid our friends and allies, and to turn back aggressors,” Greer said. “We can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 65,000 American service members who died in battle or the 1.4 million who were wounded. We can, however, recognize and thank 25 million veterans still living today."
Greer continued with words which are inscribed on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC:
“Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.” Those words apply equally to many of our World War I, World War II, Vietnam War and Gulf War veterans as well. They apply to today’s active duty service members — tomorrow’s veterans — who are helping to maintain peace throughout the world. Today, it is our privilege to say “thank you” to all of America’s veterans, to let them know that we appreciate them for their service and honor them for their sacrifices. The price of freedom is high. We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay it. Today, we celebrate America’s veterans for keeping this Nation “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Greer went on to lead the Pledge of Allegiance after which former Council Member and City Recorder Melissa Matheny sang the National Anthem.
Also featured in today’s service was U.S. Air Force Reserves Chaplain Lt. Col. Quint Pitts, head pastor of Horizons Church in Lost Creek. He spoke about generations of selfless members of the military who have set a pattern of going out and doing what needs to be done.
“Today we honor these men and women. We honor veterans because there is probably nothing in all of humanity more honorable than what they do,” he said. “Jesus said it best, I think, when he said “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13).’ These men and women have said they are willing to do that.”
Pitts also led the invocation.
Following the raising of the flag by the Harrison County Honor Guard, the memorial was unveiled. With each pillar representing a specific branch of the military, each of those branches - the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard - was represented and did the unveiling honors.
Vietnam Veteran Tom Leonette, who has been instrumental in the establishment of the memorial and has served on the project committee, also took the microphone. Getting choked up as he read, Leonette shared “So God Made a Soldier” (an adaptation of Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer.”)
“Today we remember those who stood strong, stable and fearless; those who do what has to be done so we can lay our heads down at night,” Leonette said.
Brigadier General Charles Veit, Assistant Adjutant General of the West Virginia Army National Guard, was scheduled to speak, but was unable to attend today’s ceremony. Fulfilling that duty was Col. Gene Holt. He shared a reading written in 2011 by a U.S. Lieutenant Colonel to remind us why we are free. In part, it said:
“The sergeant jumped off a two-story building while under intense fire because he knew the fastest way to get to a fallen soldier lying in the middle of the street still being fired on.
The sergeant shielded the wounded soldier with his body while bullets flew all around, providing him lifesaving first aid before pulling him to safety. He is why we are free. The young lieutenant triggered the IED while on dismounted patrol. His wife, also a lieutenant in the same brigade, was quickly flown to his side. Their lives forever changed that day and she will be by his side while he learns to walk again, just as she was by his side at the hospital. Both of these young officers joined the army well after 911 and knew they would be called upon to serve our nation on the battlefield. They are why we are free.
“May God continue to bless America and those who serve her,” Col. Holt said. “And thank you for demonstrating your support by being here today.”
The final speaker was Carolyn Burnside, local resident and author, who represented the Daughters of the American Revolution. She talked about how World War II defined her childhood and taught her about patriotism.
“…My grandmother’s knitting needles shaped khaki yarn into mufflers for her sons – my uncles – who were in the service. We had rationing and we had to not complain about things we couldn’t have,” she said. “I have many other vivid images of that time because it made such an impression on me. But I can’t ever recall being afraid. Our fighting forces were keeping us safe.”
Closing the dedication ceremony was a 21-gun salute and taps by the Harrison County Honor Guard honoring all U.S. Veterans.
An estimated 200 individuals attended today’s dedication ceremony and some remained on site afterward for refreshments – or just to talk and reminisce.
Among other U.S. veterans in attendance were Gary Ferrell and Bob Price. Ferrell served in Vietnam and Price served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Both of those gentleman, as well as Postlewait, reside at Bridgeport Health Care Center on U.S. 50 East. The facility brought a van to transport the veterans to the event. Several other veterans were in attendance.
The Bridgeport Veterans memorial honors the sacrifices of the service members and their families. The symbolism starts with tall slender pylons surrounding the American flag at the center point, creating a place of honor and reverence. The simple shape of a circle symbolically represent UNITY of cause, STRENGTH of conviction and PROTECTION of the American people. The pylons represent each of the five majority military branches of the United States which are: the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Although united, each branch is individually represented as they radiate from the flag with an inlaid stone connection culminating at the seal of each branch embedded in the pylon. The rough outer texture of the pylon represents the individual nature of recruits before they are honed into a disciplined force represented by the smooth polished finish of the interior face. The stone walls between the pylons represent the mountaineer heritage of those who served.
Editor's Note: Pictured from above are Postlewait, Greer, Leonette and Holt. Photos by Julie Perine. See a gallery of photos captured by Ben Queen of Ben Queen Photography HERE.
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