Heroes Amongst Us
By: Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
Veterans Day was made to honor of our beloved heroes: those who work diligently day-in and day-out to protect our freedom. What many fail to realize is that heroes walk among us every day. This is due in part because veterans are some of the most humble individuals that you will ever come across. Most of America’s armed forces members do not openly seek the spotlight. Those that make the decision to join the military do so not for fame and fortune but rather for what seems like ancient virtues to many such as honor, duty, and sacrifice. These are the individuals that we celebrate on Veterans… the ones who put others before themselves and do so for the love of their country.
Supporting our veterans and those who serve today is one of our greatest obligations as American citizens. This is an obligation that should not be taken lightly because it is both a privilege and an honor to support those who supported us. That’s exactly what Steen Funeral Home aims to do with each passing year and this year was no different. On Sunday, November 5, 2023, friends, family, and supporters gathered at the Elks Lodge 350 BPOE, for the Steen Funeral Home- Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.
As guest began to arrive you couldn’t help but feel a sense of honor, respect, and support for the heroes and their families that were amongst the crowd. Brian Binon, Managing Partner of Steen Funeral Home, opened up the ceremony with, “After 22 years of having this program we are always saddened because as we look around there faces that we don’t see that we saw the year before. If you look over at the far wall you will see a list of those individuals that were once with us that are no longer here today. Today we are gathered here to pay them tribute and to honor those who are still with us. This luncheon is about you (veterans) and your families who have sacrificed so much.”
Greenup County JROTC was present for the placing of the flags, singing of our National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Sydney Ramey, a junior of Boyd County High School, took to the stage and mesmerized everyone with her beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Ramey has been a longtime supporter of the is Luncheon and has a voice like an angel. The Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops of the 1100 were also in attendance to help serve the guests of the luncheon.
Master Gunnery SGT, Paul Sites, was the guest speaker of the day. “It is such an honor to be here with all the veterans. It’s like being in a room full of family. You know I have spent 23 years in Marine Corps and what I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter what branch of military you are from… when we are all in the same room together … we are family.” Shared Sites. That’s the beautiful thing about our great nation’s veterans. You see at one time in every veteran’s life regardless of the branch they chose to serve, each and every veteran had to raise their right hand and solemnly swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of this great nation. Thank you to all who have served and are currently serving.
