By David Ball

david.ball@panews.com

It was a perfect day to honor veterans and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice at a ceremony Saturday afternoon at the Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park in Port Arthur.

In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. It is now know as Veteran’s Day.

The ceremony’s program read, “Let’s all take a moment on the Veteran’s Day to honor those ordinary people who have done something extraordinary so that we may all enjoy the freedom we treasure today.”

The service commenced with posting of the colors, the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Brent Weaver, Jefferson County Precinct 2 commissioner.

Weaver said being a veteran is about duty, honor and selfless service.

He said that some gave all, and they deserve a simple, heartfelt thank you.

He said all veterans paid the price and they would do it again. He praised their tireless dedication.

“Their devotion to duty gives all of them the strength to serve,” he said. “We have the finest volunteer force in the world. We have the most professional and best trained military in the world.”

Weaver acknowledged World War II veterans who “set the bar four our country.”

He added that everyone knows the strength the country has because of its volunteers.

Another example Weaver gave was Tropical Storm Harvey. Through massive flooding, the people of Southeast Texas showed a willingness to help one another, or maybe their neighbor helped them.

Weaver briefly listed some ways to volunteer and help in the community. He also suggested people could walk into a recruiter’s office and volunteer for four years in the military.

After his speech, Weaver presented a plaque of a resolution read at the Jefferson County Commissioners Court meeting on Nov. 6 to the Port Neches VFW Post 4820.

Some of the main points of the proclamation read the Post assumed the task of building Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park on land donated by the Bean Marine Company and the Butch Bean family.

In 1991, the park committee of veterans, local businesses and members of the community was established to complete construction of the park.

Local veterans, citizens and businesses, gave more than 92,000 hours of volunteer time.

“The Wayne F. East VFW Post #4820 and other local VFW posts have made a mark in our country’s history by preserving the history of our local veterans for generations to come and understand that this park would not have been possible without the sacrifice of their guidance, support and volunteer hours over the years.”

The ceremony concluded with a memorial firing of the rifles, playing of Taps and retiring the colors.