Clarkesville Baptist Church hosted a Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, drawing over 60 veterans and their families to honor those who have served the nation. The event, organized by the church’s Men’s Ministry, featured a special guest speaker, retired Marine Lt. Colonel Joe Deanes, and a free barbecue lunch for attendees.
Deanes, a former Warrant Officer in Washington, DC, during the Jimmy Carter administration, shared his personal experiences and reflections on the sacrifices made by veterans. Deanes recalled a time when, as a show of solidarity with the Americans held hostage in Iran, he and other servicemen would open their windows, stick their radios out, and play the National Anthem as loud as they could at midnight.
“As the National Anthem filled the midnight air, there were voices, ‘Turn us loose. We’ll go get them,'” Deanes recounted, emphasizing the enduring passion and commitment to protect America. Today, he sees men and women take an oath to protect America, a passion that endures.
Ronnie Conrad, Chairman of the Men’s Ministry and a veteran himself, expressed satisfaction with the event’s turnout, stating, “We had a great turnout. We’ve done this before for members of the church but not the community. So, we didn’t know what to expect.”
‘So few protect so many’
The gathering provided a space for veterans to reconnect, as Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church noted. Church, expressing gratitude for the event, shared his experience of reuniting with fellow veterans, highlighting the enduring bonds formed through shared military service.
“Today, I got to see a friend who retired from the Air Force that I probably hadn’t seen in 30 years,” Church said. “Then, I saw an officer I knew when he started off in the military as a young enlisted man. Now he’s a full-bird colonel.” Church called the gathering “fantastic and inspiring.”
The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute and Taps performed by the VFW Honor Guard.
“It’s less than 1% of the population that serves in the military at any one time. So few protect our country for so many,” Church said reflecting on the day’s event. “It just makes you feel good to know that they still appreciate what all the veterans have done for our country over the years.”
