I’ve long since retired from our United States Navy after a 20 Year Roller Coaster career ride. I’m very pleased that I made the decision to join up back in 1963 in Marietta, Georgia at the age of 19. I’ve never regretted serving, but if I could do it over, I’d change a few things for the better.

Every Year the North Georgia town of Ellijay conducts a wonderful Veterans Day Ceremony that begins for all Veterans at the town’s Methodist Church where breakfast is served at 8 a.m.. After the breakfast, the Vets walk a couple of blocks to the middle school where the Veterans Day March begins.

The Local High School Band supplies the marching music. Thousands line the roads, which includes the grammar, middle and high school students with their parents, teachers, family members and local residents. Military Jeeps (Retired) transport our Great World War Two Veterans to the Town Square, which is three blocks away.

As soon as our march commenced, the children, teachers, parents and towns people applauded and thanked us for our service. I was greatly moved; I felt appreciated for serving my country. A local Judge, who is also an Army Veteran, indicated to me that this ceremony was of great value to those young minds. I concurred, stating that it should leave a positive thought in their minds for the rest of their lives concerning the United States Military.

After All Veterans where assembled in the Town Square, numerous Glee Clubs and Choirs from the schools and churches, sang Patriotic, as well as popular songs of the 1940’s. I found myself “Toe Tapping” during the later.

A wreath was laid at the Town’s Veterans Memorial, while there was a 21 gun salute by the Veterans Honor Guard. Then we heard three excellent speeches from specified Veterans. Ellijay’s Veterans Day observance is one of the largest in the State I learned today.

This Years observance was greatly uplifting. I was extremely happy to be surrounded by all those Veterans. Some were in uniform, most weren’t. One was actually in FULL Korean War combat uniform! I thanked him.

In closing. As the Ceremony came to an end I found myself not wanting to leave. I was extremely happy and thankful that so many Veterans, and people showed up in such large numbers; not only that, but they really loved us.

Thank you, citizens of Ellijay, GA.
And, God Bless America.

~Wallygater

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