Veteran addresses crowd on holiday

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By J.R. Williams -- jrwilliams@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things," wrote John Stuart Mill.

"The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse."

For retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. D.R. "Duke" Stanton, guest speaker at Winchester's Veterans Day service, Mill's Civil War passage is as relevant as ever.

Hundreds crowded at Omps Funeral Home on a rainy Wednesday morning heard Stanton recite the words. The decorated Vietnam veteran and Berryville native told the crowd, "we should never forget that we are Americans first."

"Those that complain about this country don't understand what they have, or what they can lose," he said. American values "can be lost in a single generation. ... Our responsibility is not over."

Area veterans, along with their friends, family and community leaders, honored the sacrifice of servicemen Wednesday -- the 91st anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.

Vets representing each branch of service were recognized at the ceremony. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2123 Honor Guard led a volley of salute to veterans.

Commanders of several veterans organizations laid a wreath to honor all servicemen, and taps was played.

Stanton, a former pilot who was involved in more than 200 combat flight missions, cautioned the crowd not to let children forget what it means to fight for freedom.

Some young mothers and fathers today weren't born during the Vietnam War, he said, and its meaning may have been lost in translation.

"When they speak to their children about the Vietnam War, it's like speaking about the Peloponnesian War," said Stanton, who now flies with the Winchester Civil Air Patrol. "The veteran of today needs to share his stories to the veteran of tomorrow."

Still, "the men and women serving today are among the finest this nation has ever produced," he said.

Ray Hoover, of Winchester, was in attendance Wednesday. Hoover served six years in Knoxville, Tenn., with the Air National Guard.

He said Stanton's message was exceptional.

"I thought it was great," Hoover said. "He made a very good point, that this should be taught in our schools. Some young people don't understand that because of veterans, we have what we have today."

The service also included remarks by state and community leaders.

State Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Upperville, thanked the vets for their service, and pledged to keep working for veterans issues with the General Assembly.

"There is no greater gift than service to your country," she said, "no greater sacrifice than to send a loved one."

Winchester Mayor Elizabeth Minor and Frederick County Supervisor Bill Ewing also delivered remarks.

The service was sponsored by the Winchester-Frederick County Veterans Council.