Hyun James Kim / Special to the Home News
Those attending the City of Henderson’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday stand while singing “God Bless America” at the Veterans Memorial Wall in downtown Henderson.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 10:43 a.m.
Marine Corps cadets from Basic High School stand at attention during the City of Henderson's annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday at the city's Veterans Memorial Wall.
In a solemn ceremony, Marine Corps cadet Bryant Jones, center, salutes the wreath honoring all U.S. veterans at the City of Henderson's Veterans Memorial Wall on Saturday.
The list had 25 names, each one read by a cadet from the Basic High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC and accompanied by a solemn bell chime.
Each one lived in Henderson. All of them fought to defend their country. And though each on the list lived to tell about it, they have since passed on.
And now, each is etched into the city's collective memory, their names added on Saturday to Henderson's Veterans Memorial Wall.
City officials gathered with surviving veterans, active soldiers, young aspiring soldiers and their families to mark Veterans Day at the Cultural Events Plaza, then proceeded to the memorial wall above for a brief wreath ceremony.
City Councilman Jack Clark delivered the keynote address, saying those who serve their country are called heroes not just by job description, but by their character.
"The sheepdogs who have defended this land have given their youth and forestalled their own futures to keep us safe," he said. "They forego Saturdays at the park with their families so that we can enjoy ours. They stay awake at night so that I can sleep."
Clark said the city's effort, like any ceremony honoring veterans, could not adequately thank them, but that the city is obligated to do what it can.
"Any deed we do seems pale," he said. "We can only acknowledge their service."
After a musical tribute from the Henderson Symphony Orchestra to each branch of service in the military, the brief ceremony adjourned to the wall to lay the wreath and allow for quiet reflection.
That is what drew Ken Polasko, a Korea veteran who resides in Henderson.
"More or less, I'm paying tribute," he said. "I had to make it today, because it gave me the time to reflect on all those guys I served with. No matter who they are, it gives a chance to remember them. You can never forget them."
Gary Sunby, a 23-year Army veteran who fought in Vietnam and lives in Henderson, said he appreciated the city's effort to create the wall and mark each Veterans Day.
"The fact that the city goes to the trouble to do this is very moving," he said. "It's very unique. I believe that even though we're the second largest city in the state, this shows a small-town attitude of remembering the individual."
Jeremy Twitchell can be reached at 990-8928 or [email protected].
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