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VFW and American Legion Celebrate Armistice Centennial

Veterans, community members and at least one, recently elected, future Valley County commissioner came out Sunday, Nov. 11, to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the WWI Armistice and Veterans Day. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3107, the American Legion Post 41 and the corresponding auxiliaries hosted the ceremony in honor of all veterans.

Highlighting the event was guest speaker, retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and current Administrator of Valley View Home Wes Thompson. Thompson's extensive career, as a Navy Corpsmen and psych tech with deployments in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and a tour with the Joint Personnel Accountability Command (JPAC), brought a unique perspective to the event.

The broader theme of his address dealt mostly from personal experiences and highlighted the often difficult state veterans find themselves in after combat tours and operations around the globe. Thompson explained that after years as an instructor teaching presentations and communications to others that he was, "Most frightened of this address. And I'll tell you why, because Veterans Day and Memorial Day both hit keys that don't turn off in my brain."

Thompson gave an emotional and personal account of his experiences in Iraq and on the JPAC team that highlight the sacrifice, courage and mentality of America's veterans. In one accounting, Thompson told of a young Marine who had been the only survivor in a HUMVEE struck by an improvised explosive device. The Marine had been "peppered" with shrapnel but mostly the Marine had few serious injuries.

According to Thompson's remarks, "Towards the end [of the exam], I asked him, 'Why are you so happy?', and the Marine responded, 'believe me my heart is dying for the other guys, but my wife is pregnant and I get to go home and see her.'" Thompson lamented that he had the unfortunate duty of informing the Marine that he would likely return to his unit.

Thompson continued his telling of the story saying that some time later that same Marine was again injured in combat and his femur had been destroyed. Thompson explained this time the Marine returned stateside following the injuries. Eventually, Thompson's unit also returned to the states and after working around the clock to medically clear and account for the returning Marines, Thompson and his crew went out to a local bar when he saw that same Marine, attached to an IV bag, playing pool. Thompson recalled through tears, "He looked at me and said, 'Hey doc, wanna play?'"

Thompson told that particular story to highlight the personal effects of war in the individual and to assert to the audience, some of whom had served going back to WWII, that many veterans carry the burdens of their service, but often with a positive attitude and expecting nothing in return.

Thompson also told a very personal story of how his wife supported him through difficult times after returning home and he addressed that support saying, "I am nothing without her."

Thompson concluded his speech thanking all veterans and stating, "Composure, accountability, and dependability are all traits that are embedded in the heart and soul of every veteran, everywhere."

 

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