SILVER CREEK - Edward Fik, commander of Samuel J. Cimino VFW Post 6472, said, "We try to keep our post very community-oriented."
Sunday's Veterans Day ceremony was exactly that. People of all ages attended the ceremony which started with the pledge to the flag. Under the leadership of Boy Scout leader Ron Bowers, scouts of various ages recited the Boy Scout Promise at the front of the room. Scouts included Jack Ewing, Bobby Roch, William Adams, Alex Doner, Jacob Myers, Joseph Bower, and Gabe Metzger. A color guard gave the customary gun salute.
Kurt Lindstrom, mayor of Silver Creek, was the main speaker. He harkened back to the Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
Boy Scout leader Ron Bowers leads the Boy Scout Promise. Scouts pictured left to right are: Alex Doner, Jacob Myers, Joseph Bowers, Gabe Metzger, Jack Ewing, William Adams, and Bobby Roch. In the rear is Commander Edward Fik.
"It is still the land of the free and the home of the brave." he said.
"It is a privilege to say thank you to the veterans. ... We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay (the ultimate price)," he concluded.
Fik then explained the significance of the empty table in the room which is meant to help people remember the prisoners of war and those missing in action.
"They are missing from our ranks but the POW and MIA are our comrades and we bear witness to the continued loss," he said.
Each item on the table was symbolic. The white table cloth is for purity of intentions. The red rose symbolizes the blood the veterans shed. The rose itself is a symbol of the family and friends of the veteran. The yellow ribbon around the flower stands for those who wore yellow ribbons to demand a proper accounting of those lost.
A slice of lemon on the plate represents the bitterness of the fate of these veterans and the salt on the plate stands for the tears of family and friends. The glass is inverted and the chair is empty, symbolizing that these comrades are not here with family and friends. The candle on the table symbolizes the light of hope.
Fik said, "You may have seen this before, but now you know what it means."
After the ceremony, refreshments were served to those who attended. Fik thanked the Ladies Auxiliary for the refreshments.
Comments on this article may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
