Camaraderie of those who served helps our country says Aiken Veterans Day ceremony's keynote speaker

Nov. 11—Those who are serving our country now in the military or have served in the past share something special.

It's called camaraderie, said Linda Caldwell, who was the keynote speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony that was held in Aiken on Thursday at Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park.

During the Vietnam War, Caldwell was a captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, and today she is heavily involved in organizations that support veterans.

"The selfless devotion to one's mates is universal, and the bond that forms is deep and everlasting," Caldwell said. "It transcends race, religion, where you grew up, where you went to school or how you vote."

As politicians, Caldwell believes, veterans are very effective.

To make her point, first she offered some statistics.

"In 1971, veterans made up 72% of the U.S. House of Representatives and 78% of the U.S. Senate," Caldwell said. "In 1973, nearly three of every four members of Congress had some type of military service. In 2021, it's one in six. There are currently 76 members in the House who are veterans and 17 in the Senate, the lowest total since World War II."

Then Caldwell explained why she thought those numbers and percentages are significant.

"I highlight these statistics to emphasize an observation that when there were more veteran members in Congress, regardless of their political affiliation, there seemed to be more camaraderie and a sense of working together for a common goal or purpose, Caldwell said. "(That was) something they learned in their military service.

"Please join me in urging more veterans to run for Congress," she concluded, "so they can instill in others that spirit of camaraderie and working together to accomplish the mission of the citizens of these United States."

Caldwell received a standing ovation from the ceremony's many attendees, who didn't let the dark clouds above and the sprinkles they produced keep them away.

The Marine Corps League's James L. Hammons Detachment No. 939 organized the event.

In addition to Caldwell, Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon and S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, addressed the crowd.

"Today on Veterans Day, as we recognize our many veterans who have served to protect this great nation, I keep thinking about the many freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifice and how important it is for us to never take them for granted," Osbon said.

And a large number of those former military personnel reside in Aiken, the Mayor reminded his listeners.

"In our city, we see veterans every day," Osbon said. "In the grocery store, in church, maybe walking their dog, veterans are the fabric of Aiken."

Even though the weather was gloomy, except for when the sun brightened the gloom a little bit, Taylor said: "Today we bask in a glorious day. Let us each praise God for our bountiful lives. We are here today by God's grace.

"We also are here because of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines," he continued. "For it is through their dedicated service that the American experiment is alive."

But Taylor also expressed concerns about the state of this country. They included what he described as "waning" military preparedness, "skyrocketing" inflation, and a broken supply chain.

"Veterans, you are this nation's strength," Taylor said. "Your country needs you now more than ever."