By Jasmine Willis
WAYLAND – The local military community gathers to honor their veterans every year.
Wayland American Legion and Wayland Honor Guard have believed strongly in the sacrifice, courage, and service of every veteran who came before them.
On Nov. 11 they held a Veterans Day Parade and ceremony to remember all those who served and continue to serve.
Nancy Nice served in the Wayland Honor Guard for many years. She talked about the importance of this day.
“It shows the values this country is based on: community, respect, and honor. That is what this day is all about. It is about the sacrifice of all those who came before us, and about all those who are still serving,” she said. “This right here is the last bastion of the American Way. The veterans are still holding strong. Veterans Day still holds the American Way. It honors the sacrifices made by those who defended the American Way.”
Wayland Post Commander, Kevin Mark said the legion will never stop honoring veterans.
“If it wasn’t for the veterans, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy our freedoms,” he said. “We will never stop honoring veterans.”
The Wayland-Cohocton Central third and fourth graders sent in thank you cards to the veterans for Veterans Day.
Christmas in Wayland is Dec. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Wayland American Legion will have vendors set up inside. Santa Claus will arrive for photos before the tree lighting ceremony.
There will be a Christmas Gun Raffle on Dec. 18. New this year is a Christmas Crafts event on Dec. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wayland American Legion. Everyone who was part of the Farmer’s Market this year will have a chance to sell again at a Christmas market. There will be about 22 vendors.
Chaplain Ed Perkowski Jr. said this day honors all those from the past.
“Veterans’ Day is a day for the living to remember all those who went before us. It is a day to talk about all those who served before you. We share our stories about those we miss and honor the ones who served before us,” he said.
Perkowski Jr. said he was touched to see so many young children in the community send thank you cards to the veterans. He added that there has always been a high respect for veterans in this community.
Nice mentioned that so many veterans are still struggling today and need our support. Veterans’ Day is for also for the ones who got left to fight that battle alone once they came back from the war. We still have many veterans suffering from the wounds inflicted during the wars, PTSD, and homelessness.
If you or anyone you know is in need there is a Veterans’ Service Agency in Steuben County https://www.steubencony.org/Pages.asp?PGID=51 There is also one in Livingston County https://www.livingstoncounty.us/275/Veterans-Services
FOR MORE PHOTOS AND A FULL VIDEO OF THE CEREMONY GO TO JASMINE'S CORNER FACEBOOK.