A world of thanks
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Printable FormatDAILY SOUTHTOWN
By Dan Lavoie
Obama leads Vets Day ceremony
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama squinted his eyes in the late-morning sun as the flags of all 50 states snapped in the wind around him.
Standing at the village's veterans memorial before more than 300 Orland Park residents and vets, he said he simply wanted to say thanks to the men and women who fought --and continue to fight -- when their country asked them.
"Today," he said, "we honor the sacrifices of our veterans, in the jungles of Vietnam, on the beaches of Normandy, in the sands of Iraq and so many other distant lands. We thank God for the privilege of knowing such heroic sons and daughters of America."
Obama's speech was apolitical, without any reference to the tensions roiling through the country over the war in Iraq.
But after the speech, away from the star-struck and autograph-seeking crowd, Obama sought to highlight what he said is inadequate federal funding for veterans health care and job training.
"Often, once the photo-ops are taken and the flags raised (on Veterans Day), veterans are forgotten," he said. "It's not enough to honor veterans one day a year, we should honor them all year long."
The people in the crowd seemed eager to show their admiration to the men and women in uniform.
For Frann Carnivele-Sidlow, 42, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't the highlight of her day. Her father, grandfather and three uncles all had their names unveiled on the Orland Park veterans memorial. Her father, who is still alive, is a Korean War veteran.
"I know how much it meant to my dad," she said. "He's one of the most patriotic people I know. If he could be fighting in the service now, he would."
The village's memorial service, like countless around the country, focused on how to give veterans both the respect and dignity they deserve.
Leo Lyons, a retired Air Force colonel and pastor, led the crowd in a prayer for the thousands of homeless veterans who will spend Veterans Day on the streets.
"They seek shelter under a bridge or in a park, by an doorway somewhere," Lyons said. "It may be because we weren't properly looking after them. We ask the Lord to inspire our leaders to help these men and women."
The ceremony stressed quiet reflection and contemplation. A single bagpiper led a color guard of elderly veterans in crisp, khaki uniforms.
Mayor Daniel McLaughlin reminded everyone that the memorial was called Ara Pace, Latin for "Place of Peace."
"It was built as a veterans memorial, not a war memorial," he said. "It's a tribute to the peace their sacrifice brought us."
Dozens of residents paid their own silent tributes to the veterans in attendance.
Every few minutes, a stranger would walk up to World War II Army vet John Hofferica in his folding beach chair. Resting their hands on his shoulder, most would say nothing more than "thank you."
"There ain't too many of us around anymore," said Hofferica, in his black vinyl VFW jacket. "It's good to see this today. It's real nice, real amazing to see all these people here."