Ohio State Attorney General Dave Yost visited Chardon Square Nov. 11 to honor and appreciate military veterans.
Ohio State Attorney General Dave Yost visited Chardon Square Nov. 11 to honor and appreciate military veterans.
Community members were invited to attend the Chardon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519 and Chardon American Legion Post 167’s annual ceremony, which took place this year at the square’s gazebo in light of ongoing renovations to the Geauga County Courthouse.
“What an outstanding day,” Chaplain Bob Landies said. “I was driving up the hill and thanking God.”
Master of Ceremonies Mike Warner welcomed Yost as this year’s ceremonial speaker.
A former award-winning reporter for the Columbus Citizen-Journal, Yost was sworn in as Ohio’s 51st attorney general Jan. 14, 2019.
“On behalf of 11.8 million Ohioans, I’m here today to say we remember and we appreciate (veterans’ service to the nation),” Yost said. “We love you. We are grateful. Today, the nation legally takes the day off and remembers what too often we forget — that freedom is, of course, not free and the price is eternal vigilance and the blood of patriots.”
Veterans, public officials and members of the community attended the ceremony, as construction vehicles near the courthouse moved around in the distant backdrop and the American flag waved in the wind.
Park Elementary School’s third-grade classes have been attending the Veterans Day program on Chardon Square for many years.
This year, four classes of about 80 students held small flags and lined up east of the gazebo.
“It is special to honor past and present veterans as many students and staff have veterans in our lives, as well,” said Natalie Whiting, third-grade teacher. “We had our Veterans Day assembly last week in order to attend this program today. During November, students at Park Elementary School have colored cards for the VA, colored stars with veteran names, brought veterans in last week for our assembly … and even wrote to veterans.”
Geauga County Veterans Service Commissioner Douglas Lundblad, a retired sergeant major who served as 2021’s ceremonial event speaker, also attended Monday’s event.
“To all Geauga County veterans, as we observe Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to honor and express my deepest gratitude to all the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces,” Lundblad said. “Your dedication, courage and sacrifices have protected our freedoms and kept our nation safe. Today and every day, we recognize your invaluable contributions and the challenges you have faced.”
He expressed appreciation for the ways veterans have and continue to make a difference.
“On Veterans Day, of course we remember all veterans who served, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice who paid that last full measure of devotion,” Yost said.
“But, we honor all veterans who served.
“You see, every one of you who served in our nation’s military and wore the uniform,
you became heroes the day that you raised your hand and took the oath because on that day,” Yost continued. “You said I understand that our nation may one day be at war, I understand that I am swearing registered in heaven that I will do my duty to my country to defend it and I recognize that might mean I might lose my life to defend the life of my country.”
Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak said this day and Memorial Day are important to his family.
Dvorak’s mother’s brother, Cpl. Kenneth Allen Rodgers, of the 80 Division 3rd Army under General George S. Patton, was killed Nov. 15, 1944, in the Battle of Metz, France, and is buried at the American Lorraine Cemetery there.
“So, today, all of us should rise up together and never forget that freedom isn’t free,” Dvorak said.
To Mike Warner, every day is Veterans Day, said his son, Richard Warner, a criminal investigator for the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Mike is a United States Army veteran who served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.
“I am extremely proud to watch my father stand in the gazebo on Chardon Square and emcee the Veterans Day service. He has done so for the last 10-plus years. He advocates for his fellow veterans to seek fellowship from each other, he visits those that are home- and facility-bound.”
Veterans truly are built differently, Richard added.
“They are the ones who step up and say what can I do to help,” he said. “They are the ones that look to their left and to their right and say how can I help you. Veterans are truly selfless, more concerned about those around them than themselves. Veterans have witnessed oppression in far off places and treasure the freedom we all take for granted here. I am grateful to have been raised by a veteran and will do my part to make sure his and the other veteran’s legacies lives on and that their service and sacrifices have not gone in vain.”
