Veterans continue to carry torch of liberty

Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Col. Laurence Mixon of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade was the guest speaker on Nov. 11 at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home’s Veterans Day program. Remnants of Hurricane Ida may have rained on Augusta’s Veterans Day parade and washed out other events on Nov. 11, but it didn’t stop plans at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.

The weather pushed the proceedings inside where Col. Laurence Mixon was the guest speaker.

The commander of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade said while he was flying to Washington, D.C. the prior Monday he prayed about what to speak to the veterans and civilians gathered at the event.

“As we descended for the Reagan airport, the sun parted through,” he said.

Below him, he could see the Vietnam and Korean War monuments as well as Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington Monument.

“No man has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends,” Mixon paraphrased a Bible verse.

Heroes have laid down their lives for many over the two centuries since the founding of this nation, he said.

“It is altogether fitting and appropriate that throughout this nation historically we’ve come together to recognize their selflessly thinking of the greater good setting aside their own hopes and dreams,” he said.

“Veterans have carried the torch of liberty for all to see – from the greatest generation to the latest generation,” he said.

Heroes have served throughout the nation’s history, and they continue to serve today. He highlighted two heroes who’ve fought in the current war on terrorism.

One was 1st Sgt. Eric Geressy who led his Soldiers in a sixhour fight against Al Qaeda in September 2007. During the fight, he killed 18 Al Qaeda, pulled an injured Soldier to safety and put himself in harm’s way. His actions garnered him a Silver Star Medal.

The other was Sgt. 1st Class Ray Plasterer who earned the Silver Star Medal because of his actions during an ambush. He ran straight into gunfire to secure a radio after the he heard one Soldier in his group had been critically injured in the neck.

In other Veterans Day activities, Bel Air Elementary School students made a special presentation to Fisher House manager, Francisco Cruz Jr.

During the month of October, they had collected items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, plastic wrap, paper towels, napkins, razors and shaving cream and cleaning supplies.

“As a veteran myself this meant a lot to be part of a Veterans Day program in where our young not only honored all the Military Services Active Duty, Retiree, Veterans and their families on this special day Veterans Day; but also chose to support the Fisher House and the Warrior Transition Battalion and present the items at their program,” said Cruz.