Veterans honored at Veterans Day Celebration

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — The service and sacrifice made by our nation’s military veterans was recognized Thursday at Wallace State Community College as it hosted “Honoring Those Who Served: A Veterans Day Celebration.”
Dozens of people gathered in the Recital Hall of the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts to hear from those who served their country, honor all branches of the military and reflect on the sacrifices made to ensure our freedoms.
Wallace State philosophy, ethics and religion instructor Dr. Lee Walton told the audience of the five or so titles he identifies himself as (Christian, husband, father, grandfather (Paw Paw), that of Veteran is one of the most honoring.
“Veterans are different people,” said Walton, who served as a Navy SEAL. “We’re not better, we’re not worse, we’re just different. We do things like make sure the line between our buttons and our zipper and our belts are all in a line.
“We’re a family,” he added. “Of all my Veterans brothers and sisters, I’ve never been denied anything when asked.”
Dr. Walton shared with the audience five points he learned from military life that may be able to help others “do life.”
First is when you think you’re done, your only 40 percent done. “I have told this to my kids ad nauseam, but you’re not done yet” he said. “And when your body thinks you’re done and you’re so tired you can’t move on, you can control your mind and make yourself do more than you think you can do.”
Secondly, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable to get better, Walton said. “In our life…, we have to experience the pain and challenge of going past our limits in order to improve ourselves,” he said.
Third, mix up your routine. “A rut is an open-ended grave,” he said. “Research shows us that getting out of your rut, getting out of your comfort zone is good for your body, your mind and your spirit. So mix it up. Break your daily habits.”
Fourth, drive is contagious and competition is good. “I’ve experienced this first hand,” he said. “Just by being around people with drive, I strive to be better. This is one reason that I love this job so much. I get to the chance to teach top-shelf students, and their research in academia makes me be a better teacher.”
Finally, Walton suggested people live a gritty life. “Don’t be so clean; don’t be so perfect. Grit is a great indicator of future success.”
Also speaking was Army Veteran Anthony Hill, who retired from the service as Sargent 1st Class. A graduate of Jackson-Olin High School, he served in active duty for 20 years before retiring.
Hill spoke about honor. “There are several ways to define honor,” he said. “Some call it honest, fairness, integrity, reputation, worthy of respect and admiration.”
He shared some of his own experiences to illustrate what he calls the Never Ending Honor of Service, starting with basic service and the “shakedown” new recruits go through as they transition from civilian life to the discipline of military life. He told a story of how drill sergeants yelled at him for “eyeballing” one of them. “I didn’t even know what eyeballing was,” he said. Another story was about another recruit having trouble getting off of what was supposed to be a short phone call home and the drill sergeant yelling at him to hang up the phone.
While some may think the actions as harsh, Hill said is actually motived him and that other recruit. “He would be one of three men promoted leaving basic training,” he said. “It motivated me, too. Six years later I would return to those same barracks, same base, as a drill sergeant.
“It was one of my most honored duties,” he added. “I pray today even, that I served with honor, that I inspired young soldiers and civilians becoming soldiers to be attentive to detail. I hope I gave them something that would preserve life for them as they go throughout there service, because it would be those that I trained that would be going into combat in different wars all over the world.”
Hill also encouraged those attending to serve their communities by volunteering. “Every person who does that, makes life better for the next,” he said. “You don’t have to be a Veteran to serve.”
Also during the event, students Duke Cleghorn and Lauren Jones performed the National Anthem and “Let Freedom Ring,” respectively, and Jamie Akins performed the “Ballad of the Green Beret.” A short video brought tears to some eyes as it reminded the younger generations portrayed in it that veterans who fought did so for them and all future generations. A slideshow honoring veterans from our area from the Civil War through present time was also shown.
The Veterans Day Celebration was held in conjunction with the opening of an exhibit honoring Veterans at The Evelyn Burrow Museum. “Salute to Service: Commemorating America’s Military History from WWII to Present Day” will be open through December 7.