The Village of New Concord hosted the annual Veterans Day Ceremony Friday, Nov. 11 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The ceremony was open to the public. Veterans and their families were invited to honor the people who dedicated their lives to helping others.
The Singing W’s are accompanied by Jerry Gibson as they sing “America.” The group sang different patriotic songs throughout the ceremony.
The ceremony began with instrumental music from John Chalfont on organ and Jerry Gibson on piano.
New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle welcomed the audience by giving thanks to members of the community who help make the Veterans Day celebration possible.
Lyle invited the New Concord Boy Scout Troop 510 to officially begin the ceremony with presenting the colors and leading the audience with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Jennifer Lyle, Dr. Brian Bradshaw, and Boy Scout Troop 510 participated in the Veterans Day ceremony. The audience was encouraged to visit the New Concord Veterans Memorial located on Main Street in celebration of the day.
Reverend Bryan Kittner prayed over the ceremony and gave a powerful message to those who have served. The Singing W’s and the congregation sang patriotic music to celebrate the day.
Mayor Jennifer Lyle and Dr. Brian Bradshaw celebrate Veterans Day at the annual ceremony at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The ceremony is held every year.
U.S. Army Veteran Dr. Brian Bradshaw was the guest speaker.
Bradshaw is the Director of Veteran Services and Master of Business Information Systems Director for Muskingum University.
He spoke on how important it is to honor and remember the people who have served. He emphasized the sacrifices of the men and women who have served are unique and often not acknowledged.
Bradshaw gave the history of Veterans Day and how it wasn’t established until 1954 by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Forest Rose is a U.S. Veteran joined by his wife Helen Rose. They both were born in New Concord.
Bradshaw said there should also be a national day honoring loved ones of veterans, since many veterans give credit to their families. “Our families who are worth a lot,” said Bradshaw.
Bradshaw said he wants Veterans Day to continue being celebrated for people to think of those who made many sacrifices to keep others safe.
“The Army likes to pick on the Marines, the Navy likes to pick on the Air Force…you pick it and we go back and forth until it’s Veterans Day. And everyone stands down and everyone congratulates each other and says have a happy Veterans Day,” said Bradshaw.
Jerry Gibson sings with the Singing W’s “This is My Country” by Tennessee Ford. Gibson was accompanied by John Chalfont who played the organ during the ceremony.
Bradshaw said it’s important to honor the sacrifices others made. Veterans must heal. He said healing is important within all the branches from the traumas they experience.
John Chalfont and Jerry Gibson played the songs for the Air Force, Navy, Army, Military, and Marines. Those who served and their families were encouraged to stand to be recognized while being gifted with a red flower in honor of their service.
Rev. Bryan Kittner finished the ceremony with a prayer over the congregation and invited everyone to the refreshments provided by The John & Annie Glenn Museum.
Members of the community were invited to visit the New Concord War Memorial located on Main Street established in 1987.
