SG-VHV 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony

In a solemn display of honor and respect, members of Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans hosted a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day at their facility in Copperas Cove . In his opening remarks, Mayor Frank Seffrood urged the audience to not just enjoy the day off, but to return to the basics of “why we are here? We have all sacrificed. We have all given. Those we are honoring today have given all,” he said. Many veterans — young and old — family and community members, dressed in their military gear, shirts and flags took time to pay tribute to the fallen. Local and state veteran organizations including Operation Stand Down, the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association and Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, as well as several others participated in the ceremony. Although the Jewish War Veterans organization have been around since 1896, this was their second year participating in the Memorial Day events with SG-VHV, said George Wankmueller. The thing about this here is about the peers that have gone before us and those that will come after us all have a name and they all made that great sacrifice for us,” he said. Wankmueller said that although wars may continue to go on, “we still need to remember and honor them. Every time their name is mentioned may they be a blessing to those that knew them.” During the ceremony, a bell was rung to honor fallen soldiers, prisoners of war and those missing in action. This is a day to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Joann Courtland, director of Operation Stand Down. As a veteran herself, Courtland said she comes from a family of veterans and was honored to be able to remember all those who served and gave it all. In closing, Seffrood said he was glad to see so many members of the surrounding communities come out and show their support. “It shows we have put meaning back in the word ‘community.’ Community is not a city limit. Community is a limit of the heart,” he said. SG-VHV President Jonathan Haywood stated that it was an honor to have so many area Veteran Groups participate in the ceremony. He thank all of the area politicians for taking time out of their busy schedules to honor the fallen veterans. A special thank you was given to the SG-VHV Team Members for the hard work put into this ceremony.