Honoring All Veterans
While the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Butler, John Cyprian, the county director of Veterans Services, ensured that those who fought and died in the service of their country were still honored Wednesday.
A ceremony commemorating the armistice that ended World War I was held at 10:30 a.m. in Diamond Park, where the gray, drizzly skies accompanied the doleful atmosphere of the event.
Cyprian apprised those in attendance of the circumstances causing the U.S. to adopt a policy of nonintervention in the Great War until public opinion changed when a German U-boat sank the ocean liner Lusitania with 128 Americans on board in 1915, one year after the war had broken out in Europe.
By the spring of 1917, the U.S. officially entered World War I.
Cyprian spoke of the brutality of the war, which included bloody battles, trench warfare and open fighting until November 1918, when Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated and the new German republic sued for peace after troops lost morale.
After 8.5 million military casualties, the war ended with an armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.Henry Gunther of Baltimore, the son of German immigrants, was the last American to be killed in the Great War. Gunther was cut down by automatic weapons fire in France just one minute before the armistice took effect.The first Armistice Day — as Veterans Day was originally known — was held at Buckingham Palace one year later, with King George V hosting a banquet on Nov. 10, 1919, and events on the palace grounds the next day, according to Cyprian.Cyprian asked for two minutes of silence to commemorate the brave soldiers of World War I and all who have died in battle.Among those bowing their heads were state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, county Commissioners Leslie Osche and Kevin Boozel, and Sheriff Mike Slupe.Following the silence, LeRoy Bunyan, Butler County's 2021 Veteran of the Year, and Dennis Christy, both in their American Legion Riders apparel, solemnly laid a wreath at the foot of the park's General Richard Butler monument.“We remember these soldiers who came before us and the freedoms afforded us by their sacrifice,” Cyprian said.A chaplain then read a benediction asking God to watch over those suffering from wounds both physical and mental and offering thanks for “this great country, the United States of America.”A 21-gun salute came from the rifles of American Legion Honor Guard members and two local police officers.The melancholy strains of taps filled the park before the Armistice Day ceremony ended.
“I think it's important that the younger generation understands the principles and values this country was founded on and continue them,” said Jonathan Schaffner, a Butler Township police officer and veteran of the U.S. Marines.Schaffner was one of the honor guard that fired three volleys in the 21-gun salute.Capt. Benjamin Spangler of the Butler police fired the tribute alongside Schaffner.“People need to remember their history with everything that's happening,” Spangler said of holding the Armistice Day ceremony.Bunyan, who will be installed Saturday as the county's new Veteran of the Year, said ceremonies like the one Wednesday are imperative because they remind citizens that many men and women served so American rights remain intact.Bunyan, who served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972, participated in a flag line during the ceremony along with his fellow American Legion Riders.Each flag represented a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. “This is what it's about,” Bunyan said of honoring veterans living and deceased.
Allen McClymonds, commander of the Butler Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, also appreciated the Armistice Day ceremony. “It commemorates all veterans who served, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.He said many children approach him when he is out and about while wearing his uniform to shake his hand and thank him for his service.“Kids in Butler seem to like to honor veterans,” McClymonds said.He was glad to see many parents had brought their youngsters to Diamond Park to witness the ceremony.“It teaches them history and what people who served did for their freedom,” McClymonds said.Jaxon Carr, 9, said he was glad his parents brought him to the ceremony.“It was important because they want me to learn about wars and veterans and stuff,” said Carr, who aspires to be a professional athlete when he grows up.The lessons of the day also were not lost on Colton Schaffner, 11, who summed up the thoughts of all who came out on a rainy Wednesday to the Armistice Day ceremony. “We're remembering the men who fought and died,” Colton said.
