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Ceremonies honor vets
The citizens of Mountain Home gathered at Mountain View Cemetery Sunday morning for a special Veteran's Day Service organized by the American Legion Post #26.
In attendance for the event were Mayor Joe B. McNeal and his wife, Mildred, members of the 366th Gunfighters at Mountain Home Air Force Base, and guest speaker Lt. Col Mark Smallwood of the 366th Aero Medical Dental Squadron.
McNeal gave the introduction for Smallwood, recognizing him as, "one of our nation's heroes who's answered the call of freedom around the world."
Smallwood addressed the audience about the importance of celebrating Veteran's Day, to "honor the men and women who -- with love and respect for our great country -- carried themselves as swords and shields for America and who have kept war from reaching our front door."
Smallwood's father was one of those veterans. He served on active duty for three years in the Mediterranean on board a wooden mine sweeper, and then for seventeen more years in the Navy Reserves as a communication officer.
He was his post adjutant and was a member of the post honor guard, the same honor guard that stood in salute at his funeral almost three years ago.
Smallwood addressed the previous deployment of Gunfighters, approximately 1,300 airmen in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. As of this day, there are 509 airmen, (mostly from Security Forces and Air Control Squadrons) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"These Airmen are making significant sacrifices being away from home and their families, and are putting themselves in harms way. But in so doing this, the Gunfighters are also helping to make history," said Smallwood.
Smallwood talked about the Gunfighters and the Air National Guard, and how they recently fought together at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan.
The Gunfighters made history by deploying the first-ever F-15E Strike Eagle unit to operate out of and employ the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb from Afghanistan.
"Courage, character, commitment, compassion," according to Smallwood, are the four attributes that we as people admire when we honor our nations' veterans. Smallwood described veterans as torchbearers of freedom and democracy.
Smallwood recognized two veterans in particular, Technical Sergeant David Fitzgerald of MHAFB and Lt. Col. Charles McDannald, a member of the 366th Medical Group, who was deployed as part of a Special Operations Surgical Team to Ramadi, Iraq.
Fitzgerald, as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight Team Leader, led 91 explosive ordnance missions and safely defused an amazing 60 improvised explosive ordinance devices and 15 unexploded ordinances. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal this year for his outstanding bravery and achievements.
During McDannald's deployment, he was part of 35 major life-saving surgeries, including four that required open heart massage to resuscitate the patient. McDannald was recently honored in the Air Force Chief of Staff's "Portrait of Courage" to remind us all of the courage and sacrifice of America's Airmen, Smallwood said.
"Veteran's Day honors the heroism of those who fight today-Airmen like Sergeant Fitzgerald and Col. McDannald -- while remembering the gallantry of those who are no longer with us, like my father," said Smallwood.
Smallwood concluded his speech by saying, "I would ask you to reflect upon this and mark this Veteran's Day by saying 'Thank You', to the veterans of our nation's armed forces."
Tom Coester, Post Commander of American Legion Post #26, told the audience that "we recognize service to our country and her cause does not end with the termination of military service. We continue our endeavors in behalf of an honorable world peace with feeling of profound gratitude to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes."
Wreaths were presented by War Mothers, Mothers of the Military, Marine Corps League, 11th Airborne, VFW Post 9585 and Auxiliary, 40/8, Americdan Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary and Post 26 and auxiliary.
Following the chaplain's benediction, honor guard members from Post 26, and members of the Disabled American Veterans presented the colors and took part in the 21-gun salute honoring their fallen comrades.
"What I admire is seeing all the older veterans out here. This ceremony has a special meaning for me. It reminds me of my father's love for the service," said Smallwood.
The dignitaries in attendance all praised the ceremony.
"It went really well. It was a good turnout. The weather held out for us. We appreciate the 366th Gunfighters and Col. Smallwood for his speech. We would like to thank the citizens of Mountain Home for taking time out to support the veterans," said Coester.
"The ceremony went very well. The Gunfighter turnout shows that our hearts and minds are toward our people who are in dangerous places," said Chief MSgt. Allen Niksich, command chief of the 366th Fighter Wing.
"Veteran's Day is a day, where we honor all of our veterans, we are glad to celebrate this day. We appreciate the 366th Gunfighters for their participation. The American Legion Post #26 does an outstanding job, in putting this together. The turnout was great, and this shows that the community cares for veterans past and present," said Mayor McNeal.