PALESTINE — Under Saturday’s sunny, warm skies, local veterans, family members and friends gathered in downtown Palestine to honor service to country.

Representatives of local veterans organizations, National Guard members, law enforcement, fire departments, Patriot Guard Riders, high school marching bands, Scouts and others paraded down Avenue A and Main Street to the Veterans Park.

During ceremonies at the park, Gordon Brett, commander of Disabled American Veterans chapter 63, spoke about the public’s view of news coverage of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“An opinion poll taken not long ago revealed an unpleasant truth: People said they just didn’t want to read about the wars in the newspapers any more. They didn’t want to see reports about them on TV,” Brett said.

However, public support for veterans is high, he added.

“Americans are nearly unanimous in upholding the need to maintain strong, effective programs for all of our veterans,” Brett said. “They are particularly concerned about those who come home from war disabled in body, mind and spirit. Our nation’s citizens want their veterans to get proper medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs — the VA.”

But the numbers of casualties, including brain injuries, depression and post traumatic stress disorder, threaten to overwhelm the VA’s resources if nothing is done to expand and improve services, he warned.

“It is widely recognized that the VA provides great medical care for the most part,” Brett said. “But the VA is in danger of being overwhelmed and falls short of the mark in some instances. A big part of the problem is the lack of resources, inability to plan realistically and a failure to meet some of its toughest challenges head-on.

“In political circles, there’s some denial of the extent of the problem. You’ve probably heard politicians and news reporters talk about the 30,000 troops wounded in Iraq, but let me share some facts with you. Pentagon casualty statistics for both Iraq and Afghanistan now top 80,000. This number is a real number, though it never appears in the news, and it’s growing every day.”

Brett also thanked those who served in the Armed Forces for their sacrifices and for their attendance Saturday.

“You made a responsible and faithful decision about Veterans Day,” Brett said. “You made it your business to honor the men and women who once, in the defense of freedom, knew only three realities — enemy, rifle, life.

“Just as they saw war and knew its meaning, you understood Veterans Day and felt its meaning. I want to personally say to the men and women who have served, are serving, and will serve in the future a heartfelt thank you for your service.”

Also speaking during the ceremonies were Palestine city councilman Vernon Denmon Jr., a Vietnam War veteran; Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor; Dan Bochsler and Bob Poinsett of the Knights of Columbus; A.J. Henderson of the Blind Veterans of America; and Sgt. Major Chambers, ret. Army.

Chance Pickard, the younger brother of Army Spc. Heath Pickard represented his family, carrying a large framed photo of his brother, who was killed in action in Iraq last month. Pickard was the first Anderson County serviceman killed in Iraq.

A special detachment of Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 991 provided a 21-gun salute, with weapons provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907, and Rhonda Herrington of Palestine ISD sang the national anthem.

Reba Hayes, who works with the Veterans Historic Education Center, said she was pleased with the morning’s events.

“I think it was nice,” Hayes said. “I’m very proud of it. It’s one of our projects. Of course, that’s what the Veterans Historic Education Center is all about — informing and teaching the public about patriotism, what all these different ceremonies mean and we hope to be doing more in the community as we go on.”

Afterward, Brett said he had enjoyed the morning’s events.

“I thought the ceremony went very well,” Brett said. “I was impressed by the 21-gun salute, and I thought the speakers were right on. The parade was timely, and the spectators along the parade route were respectful of the veterans. 

“We learn a little more every year we put this parade on and next year’s parade will be even better.”

Doug Smith of Palestine, who serves as deputy state ride captain for the Patriot Guard Riders in East Texas, said he was proud to be able to participate in the parade and as a silent flag bearer during the ceremonies at the Veterans Park.

“I think anything we can do to honor veterans is not enough,” Smith said. “There’s no such thing as ‘enough’ that we can do to honor them, whether they be past, present or whatever. Not being a veteran myself, whenever I ride, I’m riding for my dad, a prisoner of war in World War II.”

It’s nice to be able to honor local men and women who served in World War II on, he said.

“They’ve paid the sacrifice,” Smith said. “We’re just the cheerleaders. We enjoy doing it. It’s fun for us because we’re not doing a funeral. It’s a chance for us to celebrate a little bit, rather than being in a somber situation.

“It’s a special time. I wish we could do it more often.”

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com