Veterans Day brings together honor and faith
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD The crowd on Veterans Day excited awaits the firing of the Silver Valley Veterans Memorial howitzer cannon.
KELLOGG — Hundreds of Silver Valley veterans and their family’s gathered at the Silver Valley Veterans Memorial in Kellogg City Park for a ceremony on Veterans Day.
Pastor Andrew Inboden of New Life Baptist Church in Pinehurst, gave a brief but powerful message concerning the symbiotic relationship between the national anthem and the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
“The motivation behind Francis Scott Key writing this song was to commemorate not just the flag, but the men and women who sacrifice to protect it,” Pastor Inboden said. “The national anthem, ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ is forever tied to these men and women.”
From there, Inboden discussed the oft-forgotten fourth verse of the national anthem.
“O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the pow'r that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto — “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
After reading these words Inboden paused before discussing what that verse means for veterans.
“These words are important because Key wasn’t just pointing out America’s success, but that that success was accredited to more than just the men and women who fought for Her,” Inboden said. “God is ultimately responsible for the rise and fall of kingdoms, and America is no different.”
Veteran Lee Haynes then spoke briefly before a dedication and unveiling of the newest name wall at the memorial.
The ceremony ended with a magnificent shot from the artillery piece in the memorial, much to the delight of the crowd.
Local veteran organizations in the Silver Valley, such as the VFW and American Legion, put on this ceremony every year on Nov. 11 to honor all of those have served.
Other Veterans Day events were held across the county throughout the week, including several school assemblies in Pinehurst, Kellogg, and Wallace; and dedication ceremonies in Wardner and Wallace.