Ashland County Fair service honors veterans, thanks them for gift of freedom

ASHLAND − Monday's program honoring veterans at the Ashland County Fair was a token of gratitude owed to the hundreds of local men and women who served the country to protect what Mayor Matt Miller called our most precious gift — freedom.

"Is there anything more precious than our freedom," Miller asked, to which one veteran responded, "My wife."

Amid the laughter, the mayor agreed.

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"We talk about freedom a lot in the great United States of America," Miller added. "We talk about our fear of losing freedom, the great freedom we cherish, I want to draw your attention to the significance of freedom."

50 million men and women in the US military since the American Revolution

Freedom is easy to take for granted, Miller said, "because now we're living among generations that in many instances never had to fight, sacrifice or do anything but enjoy the freedom that was provided for us by our forefathers."

Miller noted that since the American Revolution, more than 50 million men and women have worn a military uniform, and an estimated 1.2 million have lost their lives defending freedom.

"Every single time America has gone to war, it has always been for the cause of freedom," Miller said. "We have never fought a war to conquer another people. Our mission every time was to free a people.

"The best way to honor veterans and those who went before them, is by recommitting ourselves to the cause of freedom," the mayor added.

The Old Uniontown Quilt Guild gave away 28 quilts and three afghans to Ashland County veterans who signed up for a raffle during Monday's festivities. A representative of the guild thanked the veterans for their service calling the quilts a gift of love from all those who sewed, knitted and crocheted.

'You are heroes, though you would never consider yourselves one.'

Community Liaison Noah Gangi of Community Hospice introduced the main speaker, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Carroll, a decorated veteran of 39 years. Gangi worked with Carroll on several projects at UH Samaritan.

"He is someone who cares deeply about the community, his family and his faith," Gangi said. "I'm privileged to know him and have worked with him."

Carroll's three children all served in the US Army. His daughter is an Army Captain.

"The embodiment of freedom, and the history of why we are and who we are today is because of our veterans," Carroll said. "The freedoms we enjoy is because of all of you veterans. How proud I am as I look out here in this audience and see some of those hats: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, all branches. We've done the gamut."

Carroll said some of the words that come to mind when he thinks of veterans are: loyal and trustworthy; committed and dedicated; focused and selfless; tough, courageous, brave and unique.

"Above all, the word I most think of is honorable," he said. "As a veteran myself, it is truly an honor to be with so many fine people like the veterans and their families.

"... Among us are some of the bravest, yet most humble and interesting people we could ever meet or hope to strike up a conversation with," Carroll continued. "You are heroes, though you would never consider yourselves one."

Veterans share real and compelling stories

Carroll said the shared stories of veterans are real and compelling, about those they served with, places they've been, friends they made and those perhaps lost along the way.

"All for the sake of freedom, and preservation of what we all treasure and value in our everyday lives," he said. "You did what had to be done, often in conditions that were unbearable, and under impossible odds. No task, no order, no requirement was too tall. The freedoms of your country and nation stood between you and the battles being waged, and the struggles you faced, and somehow managed to overcome."

Veterans should never be forgotten, Carroll said.

"A simple thank you is all that is needed to show appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice," he added. "There are many things special about living in Ashland, and this is surely one of them, taking a moment to pause and reflect what these people meant and still mean to our community and our country. Thank you for being an example of what hard work, commitment and sacrifice can mean."

Many veterans enjoyed being part of the parade through the fairgrounds and sharing in the program.

Roger Hamilton of Ashland served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to '70, including a stint in Vietnam. He said the opportunity to get together with other veterans to share experiences is always special to him.

"I was on an ammunition ship, and they liked to hit those things," Hamilton said. "A rocket hit us. About 12 guys got injured, but nobody got killed. It was a small boat, only had about 40 guys on it. We carried the ammo up through the rivers. We took a lot of fire from the shoreline, but you couldn't tell who was shooting at you. We had to go by the smoke."

Burt Howe of Ashland is originally from the Sullivan area. He has been participating in the veterans parade at the fair for at least a dozen years. He served 23 years in the U.S. Army from 1972 through '95, retiring as a first sergeant.

"It was real, and it was fun, but it wasn't real fun," Howe said of his time in the service. "I spent 14 months in Vietnam. I'm glad it was only 14 months."

He recalled helping out in South Florida in 1992 during Hurricane Andrew. As a member of the transportation corps, he supplied trucks for cleanup and hauling — one of his better memories.

Ashland veteran Jimmy Hendricks said he was honored to have met the grandson of Civil War hero Jacob Parrott who, as a member of the 33rd Ohio Infantry, received the first Medal of Honor in 1863, for his part in capturing a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga..

"It was a great honor," Hendricks said. "Not many people can say they've touched the first medal of honor in this country."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Veterans parade through Ashland County Fair, are honored for service