Ashe Mountain Times

With the wind whipping wildly at the nation's colors and the visages of those in attendance, locals withstood cooler temperatures as they paid tribute to our veterans during a special ceremony in front of the Ashe County Courthouse Monday morning. 

Veterans representing the nation's fighting force that served in conflicts ranging from WWII to more recent endeavors stood front and center as the Ashe County High School JROTC and local veteran support organizations honored them. 

Lt. Col. John Marsh said the purpose of the ceremony was to homage to all veterans that served, regardless of whether they served the nation during war or peace time. 

He listed the numerous wars and conflicts the nation's veterans fought in, many of which  “we never knew about.”

Our veterans, Marsh said, are a diverse group of individuals who “come from all corners of the world.

“All of them have one thing in common,” said Marsh. “The oath to serve. Some endured unbelievable hardships (while) others did not. Some (veterans) spent years away from their families while others did not.”

But all were honored.

While the times have changed and the type of combat with it, the courage and valor of those who served our nation has not.

“Before 9/11, I heard how our youth were soft and did not know the value of a dollar,” recalled Marsh. 

That generation proved the doubters wrong, explained Marsh.

Like previous generations of veterans, today's men and women who comprise our nation fighting forces “served heroically” to topple “a fascist regime.” 

Marsh also pointed to the rising role of women, who are now seeing combat for the first time. 

Many of these veterans who fought in the War on Terror came home to an “ungrateful nation” that hurled insults at them instead of praise. 

Marsh also rebutted claims that our nation does not have any great military leaders today, like the Pattons and Eisenhowers of the past. 

These leaders, like our “soft youth,” have all “proven their mettle,” said Marsh. “We all owe our veterans a debt that we can never repay.”

Following the address, JROTC cadets Kensie Mullis and Laken Colvard placed a wreath in the center of the courthouse's veteran's memorial at the front of the complex. 

The JROTC then fired a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of taps by Edward Eason and the benediction by Cadet Justin Scarborough.