Boots on the Ground

By Thomas Corder,
Commander VFW Post 5127

Post 5127 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is composed of members whose personal backgrounds are as varied as their reasons for wearing the uniform of the Armed Services. Some members made military service a career and spent twenty years, or more, in uniform. Others wore the uniform for only a few years, having chosen not to reenlist after their initial term of service had ended. Some wanted to make a career of military service, but were forced to abandon their plan because illness or injury made continued service impossible. A few, however, and the numbers are dwindling rapidly, entered military service because the local draft board deemed them essential to the war effort and forced them into uniform. To their credit, they did not flee to Canada or concoct soame extravagant excuse to avoid military service, preferring, instead, to take the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and serve. Regardless of how they got there, all of them served honorably and all are welcome in the VFW.

As I get to know my comrades better in Post 5127, I am picking up a common thread that runs through all members of the post. They are intensely patriotic, devoted to their community, and anxious about the future of the great nation for whom they sacrificed so much. As an employee of the McCreary county Board of Education, I have a great opportunity to relieve some of that anxiety, and I take advantage of it in every possible way.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States uses a variety of techniques to ensure that the current generation of school-age children does not grow up unaware of the democratic foundation upon which the United States was built. We offer two scholarship programs centered on the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests. Local response to these programs has been very gratifying. We also have a Teacher of the Year award that we use to promote patriotism in the classroom. This, too, has been successful. However, the most heart-warming and most inspiring program we offer to the school system is the flag retirement ceremony. It is this program that ignites the most enthusiasm from our veteran community because it renews in them a sense of confidence that their sacrifices were not in vain and that our cherished values will not be abandoned by future generations. Moreover, it appears to be the one that isPost 5127 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is composed of members whose personal backgrounds are as varied as their reasons for wearing the uniform of the Armed Services. Some members made military service a career and spent twenty years, or more, in uniform. Others wore the uniform for only a few years, having chosen not to reenlist after their initial term of service had ended. Some wanted to make a career of military service, but were forced to abandon their plan because illness or injury made continued service impossible. A few, however, and the numbers are dwindling rapidly, entered military service because the local draft board deemed them essential to the war effort and forced them into uniform. To their credit, they did not flee to Canada or concoct soame extravagant excuse to avoid military service, preferring, instead, to take the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and serve. Regardless of how they got there, all of them served honorably and all are welcome in the VFW.

As I get to know my comrades better in Post 5127, I am picking up a common thread that runs through all members of the post. They are intensely patriotic, devoted to their community, and anxious about the future of the great nation for whom they sacrificed so much. As an employee of the McCreary county Board of Education, I have a great opportunity to relieve some of that anxiety, and I take advantage of it in every possible way.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States uses a variety of techniques to ensure that the current generation of school-age children does not grow up unaware of the democratic foundation upon which the United States was built. We offer two scholarship programs centered on the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests. Local response to these programs has been very gratifying. We also have a Teacher of the Year award that we use to promote patriotism in the classroom. This, too, has been successful. However, the most heart-warming and most inspiring program we offer to the school system is the flag retirement ceremony. It is this program that ignites the most enthusiasm from our veteran community because it renews in them a sense of confidence that their sacrifices were not in vain and that our cherished values will not be abandoned by future generations. Moreover, it appears to be the one that is most effective in reaching the hearts and minds of the children, our hope for the future.
Flag retirement ceremonies are solemn occasions whereby an old, weather-beaten flag is taken down and replaced by a new one. They take place, primarily, at public schools, although it is not restricted to schools. During the ceremony, onlookers get to hear a variety of bugle calls, witness the folding of the old flag and the unfurling of the new. They also get to listen to a short lecture, usually from me, regarding the meaning of the flag colors and the reason why we should all hold the flag in great respect and not dishonor our nation’s glorious banner.
Almost always, following the ceremony, children come to show us, in shy expressions and warm embraces, how much value they place upon Old Glory and the veterans who defended her. These simple acts of kindness are deeply moving, especially to the Vietnam vets who went so many years without any outward signs of appreciation. They serve to deepen the commitment the VFW has made to uplift, educate and strengthen the generation that will replace us. Someday, in the not too distant future, the land that we all love and cherish will be in their care. Let us make sure that we hand off to them, a nation worth preserving and a nation worth dying for.
Until next time, may God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. When you meet a vet, don’t forget to say Thank You. most effective in reaching the hearts and minds of the children, our hope for the future.
Flag retirement ceremonies are solemn occasions whereby an old, weather-beaten flag is taken down and replaced by a new one. They take place, primarily, at public schools, although it is not restricted to schools. During the ceremony, onlookers get to hear a variety of bugle calls, witness the folding of the old flag and the unfurling of the new. They also get to listen to a short lecture, usually from me, regarding the meaning of the flag colors and the reason why we should all hold the flag in great respect and not dishonor our nation’s glorious banner.
Almost always, following the ceremony, children come to show us, in shy expressions and warm embraces, how much value they place upon Old Glory and the veterans who defended her. These simple acts of kindness are deeply moving, especially to the Vietnam vets who went so many years without any outward signs of appreciation. They serve to deepen the commitment the VFW has made to uplift, educate and strengthen the generation that will replace us. Someday, in the not too distant future, the land that we all love and cherish will be in their care. Let us make sure that we hand off to them, a nation worth preserving and a nation worth dying for.
Until next time, may God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. When you meet a vet, don’t forget to say Thank You.