A Community United
Greenup County Pays Tribute to
Veterans at War Memorial
By Charles Romans
The Ashland Beacon
An impressive crowd of local residents gathered on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Greenup County War Memorial to honor the service of the brave men and women who have served in the United States Military. Tina Rice, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at AMVETS 95, shared the group's commitment to supporting veterans and the community: “The AMVETS 95 tries to do everything possible for veterans and to donate to the community.”
Deanna Maynard, Vice Commander of AMVETS 95, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the significance of events like Sunday’s ceremony. “We need to honor both those who are still with us and those who have passed on,” she said. A veteran herself, Maynard stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of all who served. “There are people who come down to the War Memorial all the time, even when no one else is here, to reflect and pay their respects,” she noted.
Maynard’s mother, Marcelyn Maynard, who serves as the Auxiliary Vice President, also shared her thoughts on the day’s event.“It means a lot that we can come here and celebrate the veterans – those who are with us now, and to all of our fallen heroes.” She also acknowledged the growing support from the community, noting how events like Veterans Day and the War Memorial itself help foster a deeper appreciation for those who have served.
Guest speaker, Congressman Thomas Massie, who represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, underscored the importance of honoring veterans. Massie was introduced by Greenup County Judge Executive Bobby Hall, who began by recognizing the invaluable contributions of AMVETS 95. “I can honestly stand here today and say that this group, AMVETS 95 at Aqua Loop, gives back more to this county than most other groups combined. Thank you all very much,” Hall said. He urged the community to extend its support for veterans beyond just Veterans Day: “The dedication of AMVETS and other organizations in the community should encourage us to honor veterans the other 364 days of the year as well.”
Massie, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the ceremony. “I came here to honor those who served in our military,” Massie told the crowd. “But I am getting inspired just by being here. And I need that inspiration as I return to ‘the swamp.’” He also took a moment to acknowledge the sacrifices made not only by veterans but also by their families.
“It’s a huge price that families pay – not just the people serving overseas, but their families at home. They go through deployments, and oftentimes it’s the wife who is at home, becoming a single mom for months at a time. It’s very stressful for them,” Massie said. “So, I appreciate not only the veterans themselves but their families as well.”
The congressman also stressed the need for ongoing support for veterans, both during and after their service. “When they get back home, we owe it to our veterans to take care of them,” Massie declared. “And I’m going to be honest – our government has dropped the ball sometimes. But we can do better in taking care of our veterans.”
Before concluding, Massie took a moment to thank everyone in attendance for showing up in support of veterans. “Thank you for letting veterans know that you support them and that you care about what happens to them,” he said. “And I will do everything I can in Congress to support veterans as well.”
The ceremony was a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served, as well as the ongoing commitment needed to honor and care for our veterans.
Comments