American Legion Post 233 members salute after the memorial wreath was placed at this year’s Veterans Day program. Deborah Stewart | Special to the Tribune
“This room, to me, is full of heroes.”
Those may have been the most impactful words spoken at Tuesday’s observance of Veterans Day at American Legion Post 233 in Loganville.
For the 16th year, members of the post, veterans and community members gathered to honor all of those who have worn a United States military uniform, on the day set aside nationally to render those honors.
The simple words were spoken by Mike Madsen, himself a veteran, whose 33 years in the U.S. Army included service in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom, and in the African country of Somalia.
Today, Madsen is CEO of the Foxhole Internet Radio Network, a Loganville-based business that offers multiple-genre internet radio stations, podcast hosting and social media management. He is also involved in Operation Rally Point, a nonprofit organization led by another local veteran, Brandon
Watts.
Based in Monroe, Operation Rally Point offers support to veterans dealing with service-related trauma. Madsen told the crowd at last Tuesday’s Veterans Day observance that when veterans leave the care of
Operation Rally Point, “they leave with hope, and hope is the first step in healing.”
In addition, Madsen took time in his Veterans Day speech at American Legion Post 233 to remind people that a new generation of veterans now leaving military service will need support.
“They still need community, they need purpose and they need understanding,” Madsen said. Then, in one of the most moving moments of Tuesday’s observance, Madsen led the dozens of veterans gathered at the Legion post in a recitation of their oath of enlistment in the armed services.
Also speaking at the Veterans Day observance was Paul Finnegan, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. Finnegan reminded the American Legion crowd that the purpose of the day was “to pay tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have worn the uniform.”
Then, addressing his fellow veterans, Finnegan told them, “Your service has made a difference, and your country is grateful.”
Finnegan also took a moment to honor the families of veterans, recalling their sacrifices on behalf of their service member, and on behalf of the country.
“We can never fully repay the debt we owe you,” Finnegan said.
The American Legion itself is acutely aware of the need to support veterans. As the nation’s largest veterans service organization, the American Legion serves as an advocate for veterans, for active-duty military personnel, and for military families. In addition, the American Legion is working to end veteran
suicide.
Among the other speakers at the Veterans Day observance was Loganville Mayor Skip Baliles, who honored veterans as people “who unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our free-dom.” Without its veterans, Baliles said, “America would not be the great nation that it is today.”
Pastor Calvin Mapp of Morning Star Baptist Church in Loganville also participated in Tuesday’s observance. An Air Force veteran, Mapp took a moment to remember those who fell in service to the
United States, and expressed gratefulness to God for those, like him, who returned safely from their service.
“You kept us, you brought us back safely,” Mapp said in a prayer. Also during Tuesday’s event, American Legion members lit three candles – a red one, symbolizing the blood shed by soldiers; a white one, tore-
member prisoners of war, and a blue one, to honor veterans who safely completed their service and have passed away.
Honored specifically during that part of Tuesday’s ceremonies was Reggie Rogers, a beloved member of Post 233, who died earlier this year. A Purple Heart recipient, Rogers served in Vietnam and in Germany.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.