Community honors local veterans during annual ceremony
Story By Katie Hightower
On Nov. 11, Scottsboro held its annual Veterans Day program at the VFW Post 6073 and at Collins Intermediate. There was a large turnout of people to the morning’s events and while each person had their own unique reason to attend, the one reason they all had in common was to honor each veteran’s sacrifice.
Mark Johnson served in the Army for over 14 years. Though he fully retired from service in 2021, he said he would take up arms any day to defend our country.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I was back in service,” Johnson said.
A few days prior to the Veterans Day program, Johnson shared with the Jackson County Drug Court on a memorial park tour that he could not bring himself to attend the dedication ceremony of the Battlefield Cross statue because he had to build too many of them when he served. Johnson said while Memorial Day honored his fallen brethren, he continued that mindset into Veterans Day.
“They deserve all of the recognition,” he said. “Those who died, in my mind, are who I truly honor.”
Johnson said the Veterans Day service was important for him to attend out of support for his brothers in arms. As a VFW and American Legion member, Johnson said he valued what they both do for the community.
Chris Gulley served in the Army for six years. Though he remained state-side during his service, he had tremendous respect for those who were in active conflict.
“Veterans Day is a day when veterans are recognized for their service but in reality, we should appreciate them every day of the year,” Gulley said. “They’re the reason you have your freedoms that you have and also the reason people are able to explore their feelings for or against this great nation. It’s because of the veterans that they have the opportunity to push the way they feel. It’s important to show camaraderie with the ranks because as society goes on, there’s a generational loss of patriotism and it’s up to those that are veterans to show the young generation that patriotism is still alive and we live in the greatest country there is—and that’s because of veterans in American spirit that you have that.”
Craig Holcomb served in the Army and the National Guard for nine years. He said it was important to celebrate Veterans Day.
“These were people that were willing to stand up and risk all that they’ve got just so you can have the freedom that you have. Attending these services is important because it shows that people do care about the sacrifices that they made even though they don’t want anything in return for it,” Holcomb said.
Joanne Warren became a gold star widow when she was in her 50s. Her husband served in the Navy and died from injuries while he served in the Vietnam War. Even at age 95, she still makes an effort to attend any service to honor veterans.
“It’s honoring those that have served and those that are not here,” Warren said. “It’s important because my husband gave his life.”
Warren spent the rest of her life honoring veterans through acts of service. She was involved in the auxiliaries and with disabled veterans. Through her own dedication to serving veterans, she showed she valued their service and their sacrifice.
Each year, Scottsboro welcomed the community to attend its annual Veterans Day service and each year, members of the community were present to show their support for Jackson County’s veterans. Fellow veterans honored their brethren through various ceremonies like wreath laying, flag folding and POW/MIA remembrance. Musical guests like the Scottsboro High School Band, Devann Jackson and Rick Whitehead, paid tribute to the veterans through song.
Guest speaker and veteran, Jim Barclay said, “Our veterans have borne the cost of America’s wars and have stood watch over America’s peace. Today, every veteran can be certain the nation that you served and the people you defended are grateful for that service.”
