‘It’s humbling, it’s very humbling’: Community honors veterans on historic anniversary

MOUNT VERNON – Community members packed Public Square on Sunday morning – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year – to celebrate Veterans Day by honoring those who have served, or are currently serving, in the U.S. military.

The event, hosted by Mount Vernon’s VFW post (4027), drew visitors of all ages to the Square. Guest speaker Michael Hebenthal, a U.S. Air Force Major from 1983-2009, spoke to attendees of all ages about one of the most influential lessons he learned during his service – that while veterans are ultimately “just average people,” their experience defending the U.S. changes them forever.

“We went there average people, but it does change you,” said Hebenthal, who told stories from his time serving overseas. “It does change you, it does make you an extraordinary person.”

The Knox County Career Center Air Force JROTC presented the nation’s colors, while representatives from Mount Vernon’s DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter laid a ceremonial wreath at the podium. In the end, there was a rifle salute by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, followed by a playing of ‘Taps’ by Carol and Gary McCutcheon.

The purpose behind Sunday’s annual ceremony was simply to “honor the veterans,” according to VFW Commander Steve Lybarger. Lybarger, a Mount Vernon native, was drafted in 1969 and served one year in Vietnam.

“It’s to say, ‘Thank you’ for those that served, no matter where they served or when they served,” he said. “It’s just to remember the veterans.”

Lybarger said the VFW has conducted the local Veterans Day service since the 1950s, as the Amvets club typically hosts a Memorial Day gathering. Mount Vernon’s VFW post currently has around 300 members, Lybarger said.

Midway through the ceremony, after she placed the honorary wreath on the podium, DAR member Becky Thissen reminded the crowd of a noteworthy fact: Sunday represented the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the formal end of World War I.

“It’s wonderful. It’s very special,” Thissen said of the ceremony, which she still attends every year even though she lives in Columbus now.

The Lucy Knox DAR chapter is based in Mount Vernon and named after the wife of the county’s namesake, Henry Knox, who was President George Washington’s first Secretary of War. Thissen, the chapter’s former regent, said the group’s motto is “God, home and country,” and that “even though we are with the American Revolution, we honor all the wars.”

“It’s very meaningful to me because my parents were both in World War II, my aunts and my uncles; my uncle died in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II and is buried in Belgium,” she said, braving the bitter cold to pass out roses and programs to all who attended. “So this means a lot to me.”

Lucy Knox DAR vice regent Suzy Davidson said afterwards that the ceremony’s turnout could have been better, but that attendance was still solid this year.

“I saw a lot of friends here today – we’d like to see a lot more, but I think the confusion between Sunday and Monday might have had something to do with the small crowd,” Davidson said. “But it was great.”

As Gary McCutcheon played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes near the end of Sunday’s ceremony, Mount Vernon native Michelle Garcia began to tear up. She wasn’t alone. The atmosphere was heavy, with so many in the crowd having close connections to those who have served.

Garcia came to honor her father, who served in the Army in the early 60s; her husband, who served in the Navy for 10 years; and her son, who is currently serving at the Lahm Air National Guard Base in Mansfield.

“It’s humbling, it’s very humbling,” said Garcia, who stood with her family as the crowd thinned. “It’s quite the tear-jerker when you listen to what somebody experiences, and it just makes you think of all the sacrifice they did for us.”