Hobart service reminds of values, offers tribute
Air Force Brigadier Gen. Paul Murray talked about three core values — duty, honor and integrity — during a Veterans Day ceremony in Hobart Thursday that paid tribute to veterans, service members and their families at home who’ve also had to make sacrifices.
“Commitment and loyalty isn’t just displayed by service members, but their families, too,” said Murray, whose mother, Darlene Murray, is auxiliary president of American Legion Post 54 in Hobart and was among a group of veterans and residents attending the ceremony at Veterans Park.
Also speaking at the ceremony were U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, a member of the Veterans Affairs committee, and Hobart police Capt. James Gonzales, an Air Force veteran.
The Wolffgang Choir of Hobart High School performed patriotic songs and three eighth grade students — Shu Jing Zheng, Delaney Williams and Daniel Lahaie — read their winning essays on ‘How Can I Be a Good American.”
Murray spoke of a man named Timothy, who enlisted right after high school and at age 19 and inexperienced, had to call airstrikes in Afghanistan when the experienced person he was paired with twisted his ankle. The young man carried the injured person down a mountain and returned to resume the calls, Murray said.
He said Timothy’s wife was six months’ pregnant when he was deployed and became a leader in their organization.
Murray also spoke of a man called “Trojan,” who supported special forces in Afghanistan and had to get very close to shoot at enemy vehicles.
“On his third pass we lost him,” Murray said.
He said Trojan left behind a wife and five children.
“We didn’t get his remains back for another 10 years,” Murray said, noting the anguish his family must have felt all those years.
A third man, Jose, thought he didn’t put bolts on correctly on one of 12 airplanes about to be deployed to Iraq and stated the plane was not ready, despite knowing he could get in trouble for his error.
Murray said all three men exemplified the three core values.
“We need not just a commitment to our veterans, but a commitment to each other. We need a spirit that says, what can I do to help, not just on the battlefield but in our hometowns. And our gratitude needs to be more than once a year,” Murray said.
Mrvan talked about a photo he saw of a mom holding a child while saying goodbye to her husband as he was leaving for Iraq.
“It’s a testament to the sacrifices service people and their families make,” Mrvan said.
“We honor all veterans, all family members and all who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Gonzales pointed to all the ways Hobart honors veterans, from the School City of Hobart naming its newest elementary school Veterans Elementary to monthly programs honoring fallen service members at the Doughboy statue to the Hobart Police Department joining the Patriot Guard in escorting returning service members home from a tour of duty.
And he recalled a flight he was on during which a woman thanked a veteran for his service.
He responded, “‘You’re worth it.’ That’s how I feel.” Gonzales said.