Veterans Corporal Thomas Martin, Dave Meyers, Genee Border, and Ron Bounds spoke about their service to our country Friday afternoon at St. Charles Catholic School.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
ST. MARYS — Veterans Day is a day that according to a concurrent resolution of Congress on June 4, 1926, ”… should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations … inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”
In St. Marys, a new memorial was revealed honoring those members who served in the National Guard unit in St. Marys from 1877 through 2020.
In the invocation, Capt. Shane L. Bailey, Chaplin OARNG, summarized the thoughts of many on Veterans Day. He said, “We think of those who died here at home and those in far off places for the purpose of defending freedom and democracy. Let us honor their memory and remember that their courage and vigilance purchased for us this freedom that is ours today.”
Company K in St. Marys was activated to assist with border patrol in Texas. Returning to St. Marys in March of 1917, they were once again called to active duty in July of 1917 to fight the war with Germany.
Company K was also involved in World War II. During the war Company K soldiers earned the Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Stars. Lt. Col. William R. Stratton (Ret.) summarized the efforts of the men in Company K. saying, ” Today we honor all of our veterans who unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedom. These soldiers of Company K St. Marys were ordinary people until they heard the call of duty and answered it. They left their families, their homes, and their lives, not for recognition or fame or even the honor we bestow upon them today. They fought to protect our country and to maintain our way of life.”
Alpha Company, now in St. Marys, was activated in November of 2004 to perform route clearing in Iraq. They developed the procedure for clearing routes through trial and error as the insurgents changed their tactics. Their mission done, they returned to St. Marys on December 28, 2005. The company was deployed to Kuwait in 2008 from January to December. In 2012 the company was deployed a third time to Afghanistan.
The National Guard from St. Marys served through the punitive expedition to Mexico looking for Pancho Villa, World War I in France, World War II in the Asia Pacific campaign and the war on terrorism in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, Those soldiers were awarded many of the nation’s highest honors for heroism. The memorial is recognition for 143 years of service.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
