by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Veterans Day Observance, hosted jointly by the James Maloy American Legion Post 65 and the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338, was held on Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in the Gouverneur Village Park by the Gouverneur Memorial Arch.
Master of Ceremonies Gloria Weldon opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to the over 50 local residents and special guests in attendance.
The invocation by American Legion Auxiliary Post 65 President Daneen Phillips was given as follows: “Today is the day that we honor the noble and the brave, the men and women who dedicated their lives, and the sacrifices that they made. When America had urgent need, they were the first to raise their hand. Without thinking twice about it, they were proud to take a stand. Some came back from war with battle scars, others in flag-draped coffins. Even though their flesh may have left, their spirits will never be forgotten… When you see a veteran, thank them because without them freedom would have died.”
The audience then stood to face the American Flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Commander John Holt, James Maloy American Legion Post 65 Commander Jason Carvel, and American Legion Post 916 Commander Brian Cull.
The presentation of wreaths was conducted by Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Commander John Holt, James Maloy American Legion Post 65 Commander Jason Carvel, and American Legion Post 916 Commander Brian Cull.
The Presentation of Flowers was conducted by VFW Auxiliary President Jeff Platt and American Legion Auxiliary President Daneen Phillips.
The Presentation of the Yellow Rose (in recognition of all Gold Star Mothers) was conducted by Betty Cox.
The Presentation of the Red Rose by Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Descendant Lynda Andrews.
The Presentation of Wreaths by Sons of the American Legion was conducted by Mark Jenkins.
The Presentation of the Wreath from the Gouverneur Central School District was presented by Gouverneur Middle School Military Kids Club Advisor Sarah Stedman and GMS Military Kids Club members.
Jeff Forsythe of Gouverneur performed bagpipe selections, including “Amazing Grace.”
The guest speaker was Sgt. Maj. Shawn Thomas Bruner, the Operations Sergeant Major for the 91st Military Police Battalion on Fort Drum. He graduated high school and joined the U.S. Army on April 7, 2004. He has over 20 years of active service, and has held all positions from Team Leader to Battalion Operations Sergeant Major. Sgt. Maj. Bruner and his wife, Nicole, hail from the state of Kentucky. The 91st Military Police Battalion’s motto that they live by is: “Honor above all.”
Sgt. Major Buner welcomed the distinguished guests in attendance, including Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor David Spilman, Jr., Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade, Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Commander John Holt, VFW Post 6338 Auxiliary President Jeff Platt, James Maloy American Legion Post 66 Commander SFC Retired Jason Carvel, American Legion Post 65 Auxiliary President Daneen Phillips, Sons of the American Legion President Mark Jenkins, and American Legion Post 916 Commander Brian Cull. Thunderous applause sounded as Sgt. Maj. Bruner extended his greetings to every veteran in the audience.
“When I was asked to come here and speak I was extremely honored and humbled,” Sgt. Maj. Bruner said. “I immediately knew it would be difficult for me to come up with some words to say that could hold a candle to the respect I have for a veteran… Have you ever been asked what a veteran is? In my definition, a veteran is someone who puts themselves second, third, fourth – maybe even tenth. But at no time did that person put themselves first. A veteran is a person who signs a blank check to the United States of America. A nation that was born from war, under a solemn idea of freedom and has kept that idea alive for 246 years. That blank check that the veteran signs can carry a heavy burden. The veteran signs that blank check and answers the nation’s call of service. It only makes sense that a person willing to go the extra mile deserves to have a day dedicated to their service.
“So why are we here on the 11th of November to celebrate Veterans Day? Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day. Armistice Day was dedicated to remembering the Veterans of World War I which officially ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. As we all know, World War I was an extremely brutal war. The United States committed 4,000,000 service members to this cause, or which 116,708 American Veterans paid the ultimate sacrifice. Include one of Gouverneur’s own, Lieutenant James L. Maloy. Additionally, 204,000 American Veterans were wounded from this conflict. World War I was supposed to be the war to end all wars. But that isn’t how the world turned out. As time passed, more veterans answered the call to service. These brave Americans served in peacetime, in wars and conflicts throughout the world. After much urging from veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans in 1954. As you all can see, this federal holiday is about much more than a day where restaurants give a free meal to veterans and banks are closed. This is a holiday for the millions of Americans that have stood up and served America. And for that, I will always be in debt to all the veterans that I meet.
“The current world is still extremely turbulent. When the World Trade Centers were attacked on September 11, 2001, I was a sophomore in high school. I didn’t even know what the World Trade Center was. But when the teacher wheeled a TV into the classroom and turned it on, only minutes before the second plane struck the tower, I knew that we were going to go get the SOBs responsible for that. I knew I was going to be a part of that. Later that evening on the news, President George W. Bush said, “America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.” That is something that has always stuck with me. I always felt so grateful to have the opportunity to grow up and live in such an amazing country. After September 11, the recruiting stations were flooded with America’s sons and daughters ready to step up and serve their country. This generation had a task and purpose and was ready to answer the call to duty.
“I entered service because my country was attacked, and most of all, I looked up to veterans that were in my family and in my community. I wanted to be able to say that I served. At 19 years old, I did not know what all it meant to be a veteran. But I was soon to learn and I also learned that its not just the veterans that serves. When I was in Fallujah, Iraq in 2005 I learned quick that my mother spent a year crying and praying every night. I learned that my dad hugged me different when I came home on mid-tour leave than he ever had hugged me growing up. I remember that I landed in the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport and when we got off the plane from Iraq, Vietnam veterans were standing there, handing us their cell phones telling us to call home. They were handing us food and cigarettes and telling us how proud they were of us. Those were veterans and the people who supported veterans. Those veterans and great Americans that were there that day wanted us to get a homecoming that they never got. I was so grateful. Once again, those veterans went out of their way to put someone and their nation in front of themselves.
“On this Veterans Day in 2023, I ask all veterans, and all family members and supporters of veterans to tell your military story. Tell that story with pride. Be proud that you are part of the one percent of this great nation that serves. Tell the story of the tough times marching in the rain, or the weapons ranges in the snow and sleet. Tell about the bad times when you spent a day cleaning a headquarters building, or being called in on your day off. Tell the story of how you would be friends with people from all over the world, and you were like a family together because the military put you together. Tell the story of playing cards in a tent in the heat that was so hot the cards were wet from sweat. These stories matter, and your story matters. Your story helps influence the next generation to continue the line of service. Be proud of that influence.
Remember that Veterans Day is for you. It’s okay for this day to be for you. Now take it and own it. Know that we as Americans are all in debt to you for your service. I am proud to serve this great country and proud to be a veteran. Again thank you for allowing me to be part of this ceremony. May God continue to bless the United States of America and keep our veterans safe and strong. Honor above all. Thank you.” Thunderous applause sounded as all those in attendance extended gratitude to Sgt. Maj. Bruner for the inspirational address.
The American Legion and VFW Firing Detail, led by Sgt. At Arms Karl Beck, conducted the honor guard salute.
Taps was performed by Paul Buell of Gouverneur.
The benediction was given by Auxiliary to VFW Post 6338 Chaplain Ruth Mead.
Closing remarks were given by Master of Ceremonies Gloria Weldon. “In closing, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released Friday: “Our servicemembers and veterans chose to put service before self. To all our troops, veterans, and military families on this Veterans Day: Thank you for all that you have given to keep America safe. You have our deepest gratitude and our everlasting commitment." As we honor our veterans, and remember the great deeds, let us also salute those who are currently fighting for our freedom. Thank you for honoring our veterans today. Let us walk toward tomorrow still honoring them by living the freedom they protected.”
Gratitude was extended to all those who took part or contributed in any type of service for the annual Veterans Day remembrance. All were invited to join at the James Maloy American Legion Post 65 for a free luncheon following the ceremony. The public is invited to attend the 2024 Veterans Day Remembrance, which will be held at 11 a.m. on November 11, 2024.