Role of National Guardsmen stressed at Veterans Day program at the courthouse

First Sgt. Richard Bladen, of the Indiana Army National Guard, gives a salute during the playing of the National Anthem at a Veterans Day program on the courthouse lawn in Bloomfield on Wednesday. Bladen was guest speaker for the program sponsored by the Greene County Veteran's Council. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

In a service sponsored by the Greene County Veterans Council on the courthouse square in Bloomfield, residents bowed their heads in prayer and paid homage to the many sacrifices of this nation's veterans.

The annual community Veteran's Day ceremony was attended by about 100 residents of varying ages. American Legion Post 196 Legion Riders provided the firing squad tribute, while Bloomfield High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps posted the colors.

REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS: Military veterans and American Legion members Davy Nation and Marcus "Red" Oliphant, both from Bloomfield, salute during the playing of the National Anthem at the community Veteran's Day program on the courthouse square in Bloomfield. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

Bloomfield High School choral group Center Stage entertained with several patriotic songs.

Guest speaker, Bloomfield resident First Sgt. Richard Bladen of the Indiana National Guard, called on the residents to remember and respect the older vets of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War eras, but be mindful there is a new group of younger veterans who have served in more recent conflicts in the Gulf and Middle East regions.

This includes many local veterans with the Indiana Army National Guard, Bladen stressed.

Post No. 196 American Legion Rider Dewey Long fires a tribute to the veterans at the Bloomfield program. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

Bladen, a Bronze Star recipient who deployed with the National Guard 1-152nd Infantry unit to Iraq in 2003, said "The new veteran is the man or woman next door who may be a homemaker, a college student or someone working at the desk next to you. Someone who left one day and returned a year later. We often talk about dedication to service, however the National Guard soldier serves the community and the nation in a special way in a way that has continued for 372 years. The National Guard soldier is the ordinary American who trains to preserve lives when a disaster strikes or goes to foreign lands to defend freedom and keep America safe from distance," Bladen said.

Bladen went on to say that whenever freedom has been threatened a new generation has stepped forward to safeguard freedom.

"This is more true now since Sept. 11, 2001 as the National Guard has been an operational force on the front lines in the hometowns of America and across the nation," Bladen said. "There was a time between the end of World War II and the onset of the first Gulf War when the National Guardsmen could be reasonably certain they would be home to honor Veteran's Day. Now as in earlier times, some come home to parades and homecomings and return to their families and occupations. Still others face a more difficult homecoming as they face personal and family trauma and some will never return. All who have served and sacrificed deserve our thanks and respect today on what is now called Veteran's Day."

Rev. Murray J. Thompson, pastor of the Bloomfield First Presbyterian Church, payed homage to the veterans. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

Pastor of the Bloomfield First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Murray J. Thompson, delivered the opening and closing prayers noted,

"We gather here to honor our nation's veterans -- brave men and women who gave their very best when they were called on to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them for their unselfish service and continual struggles to preserve our Constitution, our freedoms, our safety and our country's heritage for all of us."