Veterans salute their own

EPHRATA — Veterans paused along their parade route Thursday to pay tribute to their own and to all who have lost their lives in service of the United States.

At 11 a.m., veterans saluted a plaque at the Ephrata Recreation Center honoring Ephrata community members who served in the world wars. The salute was performed at exactly 11 a.m. in honor of the armistice that ended World War I.

Citizens who came to cheer the veterans in the parade put their hands to their hearts as taps was played on the bugle, followed by a three-volley rifle salute by the parade's honor guard.

The veterans then continued down Basin Street, soon returning to the Grant County Courthouse and its Vietnam War memorial where they again paused to salute fellow veterans and pay tribute to those from Grant County who had fallen during the Vietnam War.

This was the seventh year that American Legion Art Semro Post 28 has sponsored the parade. Organizer and Post Adjutant Mike Montaney said he takes part in the parade to show respect for the veterans. Montaney himself is a retired master sergeant in the Marine Corps.

"Veterans are the most important people in the country," Montaney said, "If it wasn't for the veteran, we wouldn't have a country."

The parade's color guard included members representing each branch of military service, each carrying the flag of their respective branch. Veterans marching in the parade spanned a period from World War II to those who had just returned from Iraq.

Jack Gottschalk was with the U.S. Army in Vietnam for 14 months from 1968 to 1970. He takes a day of vacation each year on Veterans Day to walk with fellow veterans as a member of American Legion Post 183 of Quincy. Gottschalk said that being a veteran, he believes in helping all veterans.

Thursday's parade also included members of the Grant County Sheriff's Posse, who concluded the parade with a riderless horse as a tribute to the fallen soldier.

Lt. Col. Greg Hanberg also walked in the parade, carrying the flag for the Marine Corps. Hanberg said he is proud to be a Marine, and is proud to be serving his country.

"I want to honor everyone whose served before us," he said.

Hanberg has been a Marine since 1981, in the reserves since 1986. In 2002 he was activated to go to Kuwait and Iraq.

Hanberg is also a school teacher, and he said that 41 million Americans have served their country.

"We can't forget about them," he said.