BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — The Heritage House in Brookville hosted a Veterans Day event Thursday morning. Members of the Brookville Veterans of Foreign Wars and Brookville American Legion were on hand as more than 100 people gathered to recognize and remember those who served the United States in the Armed Services, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
Also, a medley of patriotic songs, including “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “The Saints Come Marching In” were played.
Area veterans also hung a new U.S. flag outside the Heritage House, and service members gave a 21-gun salute with a playing of “Taps.”
The veterans that hung the new Stars and Stripes included Bill Littlefield, the Post Commander of the Brookville VFW’ Rick Murray, the current Director of Veterans Affairs for Jefferson County and Navy vet; and Russ Sweitzer, a member of the Summerville Veterans Memorial Committee.
Littlefield spoke about his service and how the older vets were and are always there to mentor and show new soldiers “how it’s done.”
“When I entered basic training in 1969, my first Sergeant had served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. That’s the kind of men we learned from,” Littlefield said.
After a tour in Vietnam, Littlefield was sent to Germany. He was still in the Army Reserve when the U.S. entered the Gulf War in 1990.
“Most of the experienced guys were Vietnam vets. That’s one of the great traditions of the military, we teach the younger guys what needs done,” Littlefield said.
Jim Porter, a member of both the Brookville VFW and American Legion gave a prayer for vets, living and deceased, thanking them for their service.
Family members brought photos and news clippings of their loved ones in which were shared on a large display.
Missy Harrison, director of the Heritage House, organized the event.
“I still get chills when I hear them play Taps,” Harrison said. “We’re honored to be able to host this event for those that have done so much and sacrificed so much for our freedoms.”
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