During Brownwood’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial Tuesday, a dedication of two plaques honoring two decorated Brownwood veterans took place.
Roy Eldon White was on the first United States Navy ship sunk by the Germans in World War I. He went on to play professional football for the Chicago Bears.
Lieutenant Colonel John Spearman Palmer served with the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, in the disastrous Rapido River Campaign in Italy in World War II.
Relatives of both honorees shared stories and memories with those in attendance.
The main speaker Tuesday, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, delivered the following comments:
When it comes to veterans I have to confess, I’m always afraid my gratitude may be limited by my lack of experience. Having never personally served in uniform I’m not convinced I can truly appreciate the sacrifice our veterans and their families have made and are continuing to make. I’m not sure I can fully fathom what I have not seen, but here are some things I can imagine.
Veterans risk their lives to protect our way of life. They believe so deeply in the values of this country that they’re willing to die for it. Veterans work for less compensation than an equivalent job would pay in the private sector, and when politicians fail to agree, they work for no pay at all. Veterans miss birthdays, anniversaries, proms and big games. Veterans compromise their health, both mental and physical, to do the job for us. Veterans live in conditions that would be considered substandard by most families. Veterans rely on a promise of healthcare that at times isn’t reliable or accessible at all. Veterans stand behind their commander-in-chief regardless of the letter in parenthesis behind their name, a lesson I wish all citizens could learn. Veterans obey a chain of command because they believe it saves lives. And veterans stand guard every night so that I can sleep in peace.
Our veterans did not serve this country to be honored one day a year. They did it because they believe this the greatest nation in the history of Earth and they wanted to see this nation win. They wanted to see this nation continue to succeed. Veterans both past and present will continue to serve without our gratitude, but once our eyes are opened, we cannot help but to show our genuine appreciation and respect for all that they’ve done.
Today, this is my challenge to you. Find a veteran, shake their hand, give them a hug if that seems appropriate at the moment, look them in the eye and simply say, ‘Now I see, thank you.’ Speeches don’t change lives, but a warm embrace delivered with genuine gratitude can fill a heart with joy.
To my veteran friends today, I see you. I see all that you’ve done so that my family might enjoy an incredible life. I see how you help this city, the greatest city, in the greatest state, in the greatest country on Earth. Thank you for the sacrifices I know you’ve made, and a million others that I cannot fathom or see. I pray that God will continue to open my eyes, and the eyes of others, that we may see and more fully know how veterans are blessing our nation. May God bless our veterans.
