MOUNT VERNON — U.S. Air Force veteran and former Centerburg Superintendent Mike Hebenthal recently came across a passage that he believes perfectly sums up military service.
He shared that passage at the Knox Memorial Theater Tuesday to commemorate Veterans Day.
“There are lessons in life that can only be learned through massive deviations from our normal, comfortable routines. These lessons fundamentally alter our perspective on life and better equip us to deal with life’s unforeseen challenges,” Hebenthal said.
“That’s exactly what the military service does.”
The eloquent lines come from ultrarunner Jared Campbell and attempt to explain how difficult lessons can have profound benefits on a person’s life.
For Hebenthal, that difficult lesson was making a sacrifice and serving this country and its people.
“It takes you from outside your comfort zone, sometimes very far, and in that crucible challenge, discomfort, and yes, sometimes danger, something remarkable happens,” Hebenthal said.
That remarkable event is when members of the military develop capabilities they never knew they had, remain calm when others panic, discover how to make critical decisions with incomplete information and understand the power of a team, Hebenthal said.
“So today, on Veterans Day, we honor not just the service that was, but the service that continues. We honor not just the battles fought overseas, but the steady, quiet leadership veterans bring every day in making our community stronger, our workplaces better and our futures brighter,” Hebenthal said.
“We honor the perfect moments and the imperfect ones, because they taught us something of value. To my fellow veterans, thank you for your service, then and now. To those considering service, know that the challenge will change you for the better, and that leadership is about character and decisiveness, not perfection.”
More commemorative events and photos
Below is a list of the other commemorative events that took place at Knox Memorial Theater to honor veterans, and a photo gallery from the day.
Photo credit: Jack Slemenda
- Posting of Colors: KCCC Air Force JROTC Cadets
- Welcome speech: Chris Salvucci, KCCC JROTC LTC, U.S. Air Force retired
- Invocation: Tavaris Taylor, Special Assistant to the President at Mount Vernon Nazarene University
- National Anthem: Performed by the Mount Vernon High School choir
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Placing of Commemorative Wreaths
- Armed Forces Medley: Performed by the Mount Vernon High School band
- Rifle Salute: Knox County Joint Veterans Council, Commander Ed Stage
- The playing of Taps: Performed by a Mount Vernon High School band trumpeteer
- Retiring of Colors: KCCC Air Force JROTC Cadets
