Hundreds gather to honor Cheyenne-area veterans at Sunday ceremony

D.J. Johnson, a past commander of Post 6, said the recognition of service on Veterans Day was so important to those who wear the uniform. Just as it was important to remember on Memorial Day those who gave their lives for this country, it was equally important to thank those who have come home after their service has ended.

“It’s important that we take the time to thank those that are still living,” Johnson said. “That recognition is invaluable (to a veteran). I spent 20 years in, and I still get folks that tell me ‘thank you for your service.’ And I’ll take that over anything, any day. It’s just that good feeling you get when someone recognizes what you’ve done.”

Johnson said recognizing veterans for their service was also about recognizing the sacrifices made by the families of servicemen and women. Throughout the history of the country, families have sent their loved ones off to war, knowing they may never see them again.

Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr spoke during the event and told of her family’s sacrifice in service to the country. Two of her uncles served in World War II. One would come home from the war and be a part of her life. Another, she never had the chance to meet because he died while serving.

Orr said her grandparents would always say two additional Hail Marys at dinnertime – one for the son they lost, and the other for the son who was able to come back home after his service was complete.

“As a parent, I can’t imagine that telegram my grandparents received, that my mother still has, informing them of a death of a son,” Orr said. “Today, I ask we take pause and each offer up an additional prayer. Take a moment, hopefully every day, and not just on Veterans Day and not just on Memorial Day.”

Making sure veterans are taken care of when they return home goes beyond just making sure they are thanked for their service. Johnson said as veterans return home, communities need to make sure they are able to reintegrate back into civilian life. That means supporting efforts of nonprofits like the American Legion and the VFW that work with veterans, and also finding places for them back in the workforce.

“It’s important when hiring veterans to remember they come with a plethora of tools they’ve learned in their military service,” Johnson said. “When hiring a veteran, a lot of times they will already come equipped with the tools and education they need. Their experiences are also invaluable. That military way of life can be very beneficial in any civilian organization’s structure.”

Terry Harbick, commander of the Post 6 Honor Guard, said Cheyenne, as a community, is amazing when it comes to changing the service of veterans. And for those looking to honor that sacrifice, Harbick said one of the best ways to honor veterans for this service is by being a good citizen, by looking out for and taking care of your neighbors and your community.

“(You honor veterans) by just trying to take care of your fellow man. Be nice to your fellow man,” Harbick said. “I know some veterans that feel a little sheepish about being told thank you. But just tell them ‘thank you for making America great.’ And every citizen that leads a good life does that.”