CLEARFIELD – People gathered around the Grove Stage at Clearfield Fairgrounds to honor past and current servicemen at Armed Forces Awareness Day.
The services began with a ceremony for to retire worn out flags. Local Boy Scout Troops participated in the event. Following this ceremony the retired flags given a departing burning in front of the Expo 1 by members of the American Legion.
While the American Legion Concert Band played, visitors could take part of other things going on until the speakers took the stage. Several military vehicles, including a medical helicopter, were present at the park.
“It was a good turn out for the flag burning ceremony, exceptionally good,” said Dick Schaffer, commander of the Clearfield American Legion before the second series of speakers began.
The speakers included Lieutenant Colonel Michael Goyne, Battalion Commander for the area Army Reserves. Goyne has served in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, Clearfield County Commissioner John Sobel and Clearfield Veterans Affairs Representative Dominic Kurtz also spoke.
These speakers had different themes, but all gave a similar message that we should thank and be thankful for this country’s servicemen.
Goyne explained the jobs of the different regiments in the area. He stated that those who had the jobs of breaking in new recruits had the best jobs in the service.
“They make sure your sons and daughters are prepared to meet their missions,” said Goyne.
He also touched on the percentage of the United States population who are enlisted in one of the service branches. During World War II it was 9 percent, but over the years has dropped to .5 percent of the population that serves in the military. The point being that there are less and less current and former servicemen as time goes on with those from the previous wars passing on and less new recruits entering the service.
“This morning as I was preparing for today’s event I thought of what a wonderful melting pot this country is,” said Sobel.
He spoke on the freedom the United States has been able to enjoy to the men and women who enter the military.
“They have always been there for us. They have always protected us,” said Sobel.
George expanded upon this concept.
“I am here to speak of the heroes in attendance and what they do,” said George.
George opened up with a story taking place right after 9-11. It was about a Romanian newspaper that had written an editorial about the United States and its “miracle of freedom.”
Kurtz announced that this is the 59th Armed Services Day. The holiday began under President Truman in 1950. He touched upon more current and tangible topics.
“This current war is a difficult one to be sure. It is a global war fought in many countries,” said Kurtz.
Kurtz gave out the current death tolls for the wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Operation Iraqi Freedom 4,276 servicemen have died. In Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 679 servicemen have died so far.
“Let us remember their sacrifices,” said Kurtz.
Goyne had listed ways a person could show thanks to a service man or woman. Giving them a visit, displaying the flag, offering to help their family while they are deployed and simply thanking them.
“All of these are things you can do on a daily basis to show current and former servicemen,” said Goyne.
After the speakers Merlin Hess, Commander of the Clearfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard, gave a lesson on the proper way to fold an United States’ flag. He explained the symbolism of each fold to why it is a 21-gun salute instead of another number.
(Steven McDole)
