Veterans and city officials braved a cold and windy Tuesday morning to celebrate Evanston’s Veterans Day ceremony at Fountain Square.
Representatives from the Evanston American Legion Post 42 and the VFW Post 7186 attended and spoke at the ceremony to highlight veterans and the service they have given to the United States. At the ceremony, veterans spoke about serving the country during an increasingly political time, and how they plan to continue serving the country.
Commander Brian Beatty of VFW Post 7186 said, “we need to tell our stories, and of those who have gone before us… we need to do this before we pass on.”
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“What is the role of a veteran at this time of need? What does our nation, state, community and family call for us to do?” Beatty asked. “We are called upon to fill that void. So let us find out and take a step up into the future.”
This year’s ceremony was expedited at times given the chilly weather.
VFW Chaplain Charles Spivey led the group in a prayer to begin the ceremony and American Legion Chaplain Greg Wilson led a closing invocation at the end of the ceremony after the American Legion Post performed a rifle salute.
Commander Christine Candelario, of American Legion Post 42, honored 26-year-old Coastguardsman Scott Ruskin, who was credited for saving 165 people affected by flash floods in Texas over the summer, according to ABC News.
“America is fortunate to have such people willing to voluntarily risk their lives for us,” Candelario said. “Veterans make our neighborhoods better. By virtue of your attendance here, you have shown your appreciation for veterans.”
Mayor Daniel Biss also spoke during the ceremony to honor veterans, taking a moment to address the political challenges that some federal employees have wrestled with as “Operation Midway Blitz” seemingly begins to slow down.
“I would hope that we could also unify behind the basic principles that they (veterans) put that uniform on to protect — the principles of democracy and rule of law and free speech and free expression,” Biss said.