In a touching ceremony at Aspire Senior Living Center this past Monday, a veteran’s memorial was dedicated to honor residents who have served in the armed forces. The service was led by James Robinson, a veteran and chaplain from Crossroads Hospice Care, who spoke to staff members, residents, and their families gathered in the recently revitalized courtyard.
Robinson’s heartfelt and poignant speech focused on the meaning and value of freedom, the sacrifices made by veterans, and the enduring importance of Veterans Day. He emphasized the essential qualities shared by service members—courage, pride, determination, and a strong dedication to duty and integrity. Robinson’s words resounded with the acknowledgment of the ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways to the nation’s call, emphasizing that freedom has never been free, a sentiment echoing from the base of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Current resident veterans were presented with special memorial dog tags during the service. Among the honored veterans were Kenneth Neth, who served in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps, and Glen Smiddy, a sergeant in the Marines who served during the Korean War. Other celebrated residents included Army veterans Donald Earles and Roy Washam.
A symbolic table was set for POW/MIA veterans, representing a lingering concern and unwavering hope for their return. Robinson elucidated the symbolism behind each element on the table: the round table denoting everlasting concern, the white cloth symbolizing pure motives, the single red rose representing the loved ones keeping the faith, the yellow ribbon depicting hope and determination, the lemon and salt reminding of the bitter fate and the tears of the missing and their families, the lighted candle reflecting hope for their return, the inverted glass symbolizing their inability to share a toast, and the empty chair illustrating their absence.
A community effort brought the memorial to fruition. Chase Vaughn and his troop cleaned up the courtyard as part of his Eagle Scout project. Parrish Vaughn brought large round landscaping bricks for the memorial’s base. Blue Sparrow Lawn and Landscape donated and placed the stone caps, while the women’s auxiliary provided the white gravel filling. Brenda Spicer, representing the women’s auxiliary, presented a large metal sign reading, “Freedom Is Not Free,” encapsulating the profound message of the day.
The dedication service was a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions who have fought and died to defend the freedoms enjoyed today, and the residents were acknowledged not as mere spectators to history but as pivotal contributors to the nation’s legacy of freedom. Robinson concluded by reading the names of the present veterans, paying a warm tribute to their service.
The service was interspersed with moments of silence, remembrance, and shared reflections. After the ceremony, residents and staff shared refreshments sharing stories of their time in the service, making the event not just a dedication of a memorial but a living testimony to the values held dear by those who served and continue to serve.
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