American Legion celebrates Veterans Day in Taylorville
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Photo by Lucas Domonousky, Breeze-Courier reporter
TAYLORVILLE — American Legion Department Commander and Veterans Day Guest Speaker, Delmar Buske, fills the audience’s imagination with knowledge, heroism and heart on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 11. Photo
Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Writer
TAYLORVILLE — Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, officially began in 1918 to recognize the conclusion of the First World War. The federal holiday still takes place own the eleventh day of the eleventh month but now recognizes all Veterans, past and present. Here in Christian County we have some of the most generous service members who remain dedicated to continual service to the United States of America as well as their fellow Veterans alike. The American Legion in Taylorville has been the home to many of these brave men and woman.
Veterans Day was celebrated this passed Saturday, Nov. 11 at the American Legion, throughout the county and the country as a whole. While the audience found their seats the Taylorville Municipal Band, under the direction of Chris Gunn, filled the room with classic tunes of old. Master of Ceremony Glen Goodrich announced Boy Scouts of America Troop #4495 who dawned the flags of service. MIA POW, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force and Coast Guard banners were all brought in with honor and informative detail.
Guest speaker of the morning, Delmar Buske, was next to speak. His speech contained several real life stories and brought with it many different emotions.
“Most Americans profess to truly love our veterans.” He states. “Especially on gatherings like this one on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. And while their feelings are sincere it is important to remember that veterans are defending us three-hundred sixty-five (365) days a year. The heroism that has been demonstrated time and again by veterans from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism is sometimes unnoticed by many who enjoy the security that their sacrifice has provided.”
Each veteran that was present in the crowd had the opportunity to stand and be recognized for their service. One Mt. Auburn individual, Gail Cary (82), stopped and gave a few words of his own.
“Veterans Day is something not a whole lot of people celebrate but veterans all know how to do it.” He said.
Cary was born and raised on a farm in Mt. Auburn. He received his fifty-year certificate with the American Legion last year. His Vietnam-era service included basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and duties that included bridge construction and engineering. His message to future veterans is short and gets right to the point.
“Join the Legion.” He says. “Do something. Be proactive not reactive.”
Gail, along with his wife Betty, have dedicated their time to serving not only their country but their fellow man as well.
Many veterans like Cary would tell their stories with heavy detail thought the afternoon at Veterans Point Memorial and then into the night at the VFW. Stories that will linger in the air for generations to come. We honor their sacrifices locally and nation-wide year after year for this exact reason.
