Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Honoring the county's Veterans

The Veterans of Nevada County - past, current and future - were honored on Veterans Day with the unveiling of a memorial at the countys courthoU.S.e on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Keynote speaker was U.S. Rep. Mike Ross. Ross pointed out that its becaU.S.e of Veterans that the people of America have the opportunity to spend their Sunday at worship. Ross said that and other freedoms are taken for granted by many.

Ross cited the need to care for the Veterans, both those who are currently away on foreign soil and those who fought in years past. Many of those in attendance were Veterans and Ross received a round of applaU.S.e for saying that he helped pass a legislative initiative this year that represents the largest single increase ever in funding for Veterans.

Although we cannot adequately thank them for their service, today we can salute these brave individuals for their sacrifices to protect our way of life in towns, like Prescott, all across this great country, Ross said.

The monument is the project of three women who are part of the 2007 Leadership Nevada County. Diana Avery, Joyce Gibson and Barbara Brown came up with the idea as their Leadership project.

As Avery said, the monument is a tribute to all Veterans and will serve as a symbol to future generations. Brown read a poem depicting the life of a soldier and the sacrifice of the soldier and the soldiers family. Gibson outlined the Leadership program and how they came to make the idea of the monument a reality.

Walter Jenkins, retired captain of the U.S. Air Force, preformed God Bless America. Henry Butler, Master Sergenat of the U.S. Army, Reserve Branch, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nevada County Judge Baker Butler and Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor spoke of their appreciation for the opportunity to share in the moment of unveiling.

Those Veterans who participated in the unveiling were Edward Block, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Retired; William A. Pete Dewoody, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired; Ricky Hopkins, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army; Robert Martin, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired; Carroll Morehead, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired; Carl Bud Vandiver, Tech Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired; and Johnnie Walter, PFC, U.S. Army, Retired.