“Every day should be Veterans Day,” retired Lieutenant Colonel George Pletcher said during the Fannin County Veterans Day Ceremony Saturday, November 7. “America owes all veterans a debt that cannot be fully repaid, showing our appreciation is the least we can do. If it weren’t for the United States military, there would be no United States of America, home of the free because of the brave.”
Pletcher provided the keynote address following the traditional raising of the United States flag and other military organization flags.
“Veterans Day holds meaningful significance to every veteran,” he said. “For some, it is a day to reflect on their service or to remember a fallen comrade, but for all of us it remains a day to be proudly cognizant of the fact that when each and every one of us took an oath to defend and protect America. We upheld that oath with the utmost honor and decency.”
A day prior to the ceremony, Fannin County Middle School honored area veterans with a drive-thru Veterans Day parade in place of their annual in-person event, which had to be modified due to COVID-19.
“We at Fannin Middle School feel it is of the utmost importance to honor our veterans even in the midst of a pandemic,” Assistant Principal Mark Young said regarding the event. “Veterans by nature have overcome adversity and fought valiantly to bring us the gift of freedom. For those who served, and those who are still serving, we salute you. Thank you to all those who participate in our parade and for all those who worked hard to make this day possible.”