Fort Walton Beach’s annual Veterans Day ceremony moved indoors Wednesday morning to Rogers-Hinson Post 235 Fort Walton Beach American Legion because of storm clouds and the threat of rain.
- Veterans, residents, local officials and cadets from Fort Walton Beach High School’s Junior ROTC program attended, along with active-duty military members from the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia.
Guest speaker Col. Mark Hamilton, Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, spoke about the significance of the date.
“We gather, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a moment forever etched in our nation’s history, and set aside to pause, celebrate and give thanks to the living legends of our nation … our Veterans,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton also drew a distinction between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
“While Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those we have lost, Veterans Day is a celebration of those who have served and those who continue to serve,” Hamilton said. “It’s an opportunity to look around us, shake the hands of the men and women who have stood the watch, and recognize the living legacy of service that continues to shape our nation, and strengthen our communities.”
Hamilton noted that this year’s ceremony marked a changing of the guard. The Beal Memorial Veterans Tribute Tower Committee is turning over organization of the annual event to the Junior ROTC cadets of Fort Walton Beach High School.
Earlier in the day, the cadets placed flags at the gravesites of the more than 2,000 veterans buried at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
- “To our cadets … thank you,” Hamilton said. “By stepping up to lead this ceremony … you are actively carrying the flame of patriotism into the future.”
During the ceremony, Aaron Hargraves of The Fire Watch, a veterans suicide prevention organization, presented Veterans Safe Community recognitions to the City of Fort Walton Beach, United Fidelity Bank Emerald Coast and Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church.
Fort Walton Beach Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem David Schmidt accepted the recognition on behalf of the city. Officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department performed a three-volley rifle salute during the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with attendees adding carnations and roses to a community wreath in recognition of, and gratitude for, the nation’s veterans.
