All Service Members Honored at Veterans Day Ceremony

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – Mother Nature did not put her friendliest foot forward for this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony held Nov. 11 at Veterans Freedom Park in Harrison. However, no one in attendance ever complains in earnest about cold or damp weather, as such discomforts are always deemed to be inconsequential when compared to the sacrifices made by those military members who serve their nation.

The day’s welcome was offered by Karl Hauser, director of Clare County Veterans Services, and focused on the origin of Veterans Day, initially Armistice Day which marked the end of World War I – a war that lasted four years and resulted in more than 16 million deaths, only 9 million of which were combatants. That conflict, as Hauser put it, “redrew national boundaries, toppled empires, wrecked a continent and wiped an entire generation from the earth as surely as the swipe of an eraser removes ink from a whiteboard.” He further noted that the men who negotiated and signed the armistice were of a generation that had yet to “awaken to the importance of having the wisdom and experience of women at the table during negotiations” yet believed their actions “were literally saving human civilization from collapse and humanity itself from likely extinction.” The ensuing cease-fire time was symbolically selected: the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month.

Hauser then spoke of this nation’s military veterans and how time and again they have answered the nation’s call out of hope and a sense of dedication, and how “such loyalty, such patriotism makes of mere countries the greatest of nations.”

He moved then into his own military history, noting the following:

“During my 20 years in the Air Force I visited four continents, and lived and worked with hundreds of different people from a wide variety of ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds. I experienced places and cultures and sights and smells and tastes that I never knew existed. It was a far cry from my childhood growing up in central Indiana. My worldview changed radically during my service, and I cannot stress enough how important my military service has been to me in the years since my retirement in 2003.

“The military taught me so much. Patience, mostly. And more patience. And then…still more. Those of you with a veteran in your family, ask them about the phrase ‘Hurry up and wait.’ See what reaction you get.

“In the Air Force I learned to get along with people with whom I had nothing in common, other than the shared experience of serving our country. The Air Force brought me into close contact with people I might never have otherwise gotten to know. One of the life skills I value most is the ability to work well with people you may not like very much. Another is the ability to get past initial differences and find things to admire in others, things you might not have noticed on first acquaintance. The Air Force taught me to do both of those things and so much more.

“But for those others whose lights were snuffed out too early, who never lived to tell their stories, the ones who, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, gave ‘the last full measure of devotion’ to this country, they deserve to be remembered, to be celebrated, and to be honored.

“And that leads me to the crux of this speech. Because, once you’ve lived it, once you’ve taken the oath, once you’ve stood the watches, and fought to stay awake, and been afraid, and sweated, and ached, and bled, and loved and cried, all in the service to your country – like it or not, you’ve become part of something larger than yourself. A fraternity. A family. A group of men and women who have sworn to protect this nation, who have made its continued existence their personal responsibility.

“And it doesn’t change once your time in service is over. Once you’ve done your time, you’re a member for life, and forever afterward.

“That’s what a veteran is.”

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After Posting of the Colors and playing of the national anthem, remarks were offered by Scott Taylor, post commander of VFW Post 1075. Taylor began by thanking those who have chosen to serve, and noting that less than 4% of society is actually willing to sign up on the dotted line and serve their country.

“So, hats off to those of you who joined the rest of us in serving; thank you,” he said, also noting the 11^th hour, 11^th day, 11^th month as “a day that will be forever etched in the tapestry of our nation’s history.

“I’ve buttoned up our nation’s uniform and I know what it means to answer the call. On a day like this I want to share what Veterans Day truly means, not just to me, but to the promise of America. Veterans Day is not just another federal holiday; it is also not a day we confuse with Memorial Day. This day, Veterans Day, is a day for the living. It’s an opportunity for a grateful nation to recognize and celebrate every single individual who has worn the uniform of the United States armed forces.

“In war or in peace, on active duty, or in the Reserves or National Guard, on the day they first raise their right hand to this very moment. It is an opportunity for our nation to pause gratefully and say with united voice: ‘Your service matters. We remember your sacrifice and honor the promise made to you.’

“Looking around today, I see a tapestry of America: American heroes from the veterans of World War II, Korea to those who served in Vietnam, to the warriors of the Gulf War, Balkans, the post-9/11 generation who fought both in Iraq and Afghanistan, and across the globe.

“The fighting spirit of service spans generations. Today is about honoring the sailor on the sea, the Marine fighting in any clime and space, the soldier holding the line, the airman owning the skies, and the Coast Guardsman standing watch on our shores. And the Guardians protecting the skies and beyond.

“Every member of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force has left the comforts of home and the warmth of loved ones behind to uphold and defend our American way of life. Our military men and women, along with their families, bear the burden of that separation, that loneliness to face down an ever-present threat and risk.

“Veterans Day is about recognizing their choice to place country above self. Today we must pause and remember those whose name we no longer call out loud. We hold in our hearts the name of every man and woman who has paid the ultimate sacrifice – whose service ended too soon. We will never forget the nearly 81,000 Americans who are still unaccounted for: our prisoners of war and those remaining missing in action. Their sacrifice remains an open wound, and until every hero is accounted for, we will keep the candle burning, continue to advocate, and we will never allow their banner to fade. Under the VFW’s watch, they will not be forgotten.

“Next year, in 2026, our nation’s going to celebrate a monumental milestone: the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States. A quarter millennium. Our freedom, our democracy, our very existence as a republic is one to be proud of and to celebrate. It is the direct result of the courage and commitment of the generations of heroes who have risen to protect our democracy and freedom through every challenge, every war and every threat.

“As we approach this special landmark birthday, let us reflect on the true meaning of the service and sacrifice that we honor today. Every time a service member stepped forward, they made a contract with America. Today, Veterans Day, is our opportunity to tell them the contract is valid, the debt is real, and America will honor the contract.

“When you see a veteran, thank them – but more importantly, listen to them. Support the organizations like the VFW and the American Legion that stand ready to help them. Advocate for their care and commit in your own life to preserving the ideals for which they fought.

“To the citizens of our great nation, I thank you for remembering the true cost of freedom. To my brothers and sisters in arms, and veterans around the world, I wish you happy Veterans Day and a sincere, heartfelt thank you.

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Taylor’s address was followed by remarks from Jerry Knorp, post commander of American Legion Post 404. Knorp welcomed attendees on behalf of his post, then provided the following statements:

“On this day, Veterans Day, we are commemorating the services of veterans of all wars, remembering how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation’s cause defending freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage.

“We believe our strength on the field of battle and on the supply lines which nourished our armed might claimed justice for our cause against the forces of evil. We believe our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies.

“We recognize service to our country and her cause does not end with the termination of military service. We continue our endeavors on behalf of an honorable world peace with a feeling of profound gratitude to God and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes. Out of blood and sweat we learned the purpose, sacrifice, and tolerance, bravery and discipline. These are solid foundation stones upon which a great nation is built.

“In our continuing quest for an honorable world peace, we must call to these virtues and always remember freedom is not free. With that being said, we need to realize that veterans are a national asset to this country. So, today and every day, thank a veteran for the freedoms and the democracies that we have today.”

Knorp then informed that for all veterans that day, the first drink would be on Post 404. He then thanked all present, finishing with “God Bless America.”

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At this time, Hauser introduced what he described as “a very special guest” the day’s keynote speaker 1^st Lt. Rebecca “Becca” Postma, U.S. Army. He noted she grew up in Dearborn Heights, then attended Calvin College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and Grand Valley State University to attain her master’s degree in social work. She currently works as a supervisor in the Homeless Program at the Saginaw VA Medical Center.

As an Army Reservist, Postma deployed to Afghanistan from December 2009 to October 2010 with the 467^th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control Unit. She was stationed at Forward Operating Base Leatherneck in Helmand Province. She completed her time as a Reservist and separated as a first lieutenant.

Becca Postma’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Hauser also noted that Postma is a proud cancer survivor.

Postma began by informing that she had joined the Army Reserves at age 37 after having been a licensed social worker for 13 years and working at what she described as a great agency where she was doing substance abuse treatment.

“I’d occasionally get to work with a veteran or a veteran’s family, but I really wanted to help soldiers in a more meaningful way,” she said. “I was encouraged to talk to a recruiter … fortunately, that recruiter was honest with me about the probability of deploying – and sure enough, the year after I joined I got orders. I was to deploy to Afghanistan for 10-12 months with the 467^th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control out of Madison, Wisconsin. Our training started out in California in August 2009; our mission was to set up mental health clinics across Afghanistan.”

Postma was not far into her presentation – an admiration-inspiring and heart-wrenching account of her service – when the audience’s rapt attention became palpable.

“Our unit was made up of social workers, psychologists, psych nurse practitioners, occupational therapists and psych technicians, plus support staff. Psychiatrists would come in throughout the year as 90-day loggers, boots on ground, downrange to support the clinics.

“I was very anxious about everything, but the others in the unit were a stellar conglomeration of humans – I felt tremendous pride to be in such company. We all bonded very quickly with one another, especially due to the fact that we were together 24/7.

“Captain Seager had lost 100 pounds to join the Army at 50 years old. Captain Gaffaney decided to re-up in his 50s just to deploy. And Major Caraveo, a psychologist, had two young children but decided to join to serve active-duty service men and women. We all had our stories and loved hearing and sharing with each other.

“Our training then took us to Fort Hood, Texas. Here we did Scenario Training and Soldier Readiness Processing [SRP] in November 2009. On Nov. 5, 2009, while we were conducting our SRP along with other units, a gunman who was a psychiatrist and scheduled to deploy later in the year with our unit, decided to start shooting at unarmed soldiers in a very small room.

“He killed five soldiers from our unit and eight others. He also injured 13 others from our unit, as well as 20 more from other units, as well as civilians. Among those killed were Captain Seeger, Captain Gaffney, and Major Caraveo.

“Outside mental health units were brought in for us, chaplains, debriefing groups, trauma processing specialists and the like. I did speak with our unit chaplain about my grief, guilt and anger. Our command met with each of us to give us the option to opt-out of our deployment or continue on with the mission. Every single soldier who was able to deploy chose to deploy to honor our fallen and injured comrades.

“This is what it means to me to be a veteran: commitment, loyalty, camaraderie, never giving up the mission.

“A month later on Dec. 4, 2009, the 467^th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control Unit deployed to Afghanistan to complete the mission.”

Postma noted that she had attended therapy intermittently in the 14 years since the shooting, as well as taking an anti-depressant, adding that she likely would not be alive without those things.

“I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder form the VA,” she said. “The VA has determined that this diagnosis was connected to my service and granted a disability rating as a result. I will always believe I could have done more, and I will always feel anger toward the coward who chose to take his feelings out on defenseless people who were there to serve.

“But those negative emotions are not nearly as consuming as they used to be, and I am much more able to manage them when they are triggered. And I am very grateful for the life that I had, and will keep working to honor the sacrifices of our fallen comrades. Thank you.”

Following a resounding round of applause for Postma, Hauser thanked her and then invited attendees to partake of a luncheon being served at VFW Post 1075 where it would be much warmer than the park. He then asked that attendees rise for the Retirement of the Colors which ended the day’s ceremony.