PORT TOWNSEND — The importance of military service transcends whatever political party is in power, the commanding officer of Naval Magazine Indian Island said during a Veterans Day address.
“Through the course of history, we see that it doesn’t matter who sits in the front offices. Our veterans answer the call to defend our great country,” Cmdr. Gary Martin told a crowd of about 225 people at the Marvin G. Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26 at the corner of Water and Monroe streets Friday.
“Has it been easy?” he asked. “No. Nothing’s easy, and nothing is free.”
Even though Veterans Day is set aside for special recognition of those who fought in foreign wars, appreciation is deserved year round, Martin said.
“We will never forget your service,” he told veterans.
Price paid for freedom
“We can never celebrate the joy of our freedom without recognizing the price paid for that freedom,” he added.
“We can never stop thanking our veterans for their service, for sitting up, taking the oath and standing guard.”
Serving in the military takes sacrifice, he said.
“Servicemen and -women set aside their personal lives. They place their dreams on hold and set aside their plans to don the nation’s colors, the red, white and blue,” he said.
And it’s a small percentage of the population that steps up to the task.
“Only 1 percent of our population serve in the military,” Martin said.
“Only 1 percent of the population defends our freedoms and protects our democracy.
“We must consider the sacrifice of these individuals and their families for what they have endured.”
Said Post commander Joe Carey after Martin left the podium: “I must have heard a better speech somewhere.
“But right now, I don’t know what it could be.”
Calls for veterans
During his address, Martin separately recognized eras and branches of service, asking veterans of specific conflicts to stand.
He first asked for World War I veterans to stand. When no one did, he said, “That’s what I thought.”
He next asked for World War II veterans. Seven people stood up.
Calls for Korean War and Vietnam War veterans elicited responses from 12 each.
But no Gulf War vets stood up, and only one person rose as a representative of the global war on terrorism.
Later, Carey used that opportunity to call for an expansion of the Legion’s demographic.
“We have to do a better job of getting younger people in here,” he said.
“We should all spread the word.
“They need to come in here and get involved.”
After the ceremony, those present enjoyed a buffet lunch and shared memories about their service.
Most attendees were older than 50, aside from several students from the Jefferson Community School, which unlike other schools was in session Friday.
“This is a way for kids to get involved and better understand their community,” said Head of School Paulette Lack.
“When you give kids the day off for this kind of holiday, most of them stay home and watch TV.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
