By Marianne Austin For The Beacon

Area local school students and members of the Coshocton community came out to honor veterans at the annual Veterans Day celebration held on Coshocton Court Square on Monday morning , Nov . 11 .

Doug Schaefer , director of Coshocton County Veterans Services , was master of ceremonies for the tribute to the individuals who have worn the uniform of our nation ’ s armed forces .

Rev . Andy Bird from Coshocton Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation , giving praise to the Lord and asking for his blessing over the service to celebrate veterans . The community joined for The Pledge of Allegiance , and the Walhonding Rube Band played the national

anthem . Everyone attending received a poppy from one of the Blue Star Mothers . Sharon Burns from the group then spoke . She is the granddaughter of a World War I Army veteran , daughter of a World War II Marine veteran , grandmother of a Coast Guard veteran and president of Blue Star Mothers .

“ Our members support our military , our veterans and honor the families of the fallen ,” she said . “ Our members are volunteers in VA hospitals , nursing homes and clinics . They send packages to our deployed troops , present Gold Star Flags to the families of the fallen and also promote patriotism .”

Burns mentioned Tom Apple , a local veteran who passed away this past year and his passion for the poppy flower .

Marianne Austin

Area local school students and members of the Coshocton community came out to honor veterans at the annual Veterans Day celebration held on Coshocton Court Square on Monday morning , Nov . 11 .

“ I remember going to the Newcomerstown IGA and usually on Memorial Day seeing someone handing out poppies ,” she said . “ It is not just for Memorial Day anymore , but it is a flower for remembrance

. Always wear the poppy on the right side . The red poppy represents the blood of all who gave their lives , the black in the middle represents the mourning for those who didn ’ t have their loved

ones return home , and the green leaf represents the green grass growing and future prosperity after the war .”

The poppy should be positioned in the 11 o ’ clock position to represent the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month , the time WWI formally ended .

“ Tom was worried that future generations wouldn ’ t understand ,” Burns said . “ Thank you for your service , and it is an honor to serve all of you .”

Keynote speaker was Air Force and Air Force Reserve Aaron Shearer , who began working in Coshocton in 2023 .

“ What is Veterans Day ?” he said . “ Freedom isn ’ t free . There ’ s a cost to maintain what we have . This honors those who donned the uniform , picked up a rifle and did

what their country asked of them . In 1921 an unknown WWI American soldier was buried in Arlington Cemetery . This site became the focal point for reverence to America ’ s veterans . Similar ceremonies started in England and France . These memorial gestures all took place on Nov . 11 , giving universal recognition to celebrate the ending of WWI .

“ We should live a life worthy of our comrades ’ sacrifices . We need to stay engaged as veterans and our communities to educate the next generations . We serve to defend the Constitution of the United States . I feel it is worth it , and I would do it all over again . We need to be mentors and leaders in our society today . It will make a difference . Thank you , veterans . May God protect us and also bless us .”

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