In years past, Veterans Day was just another date on the calendar for Roger Bacon High School senior Alison Gardner. The 18-year-old had only read and seen movies about wars and those who had fought in them. But on Friday, history came alive for her and seven dozen other students in three government classes at the St. Bernard school.

Jerome Hoeper, a WWII veteran, talks to Roger Bacon student Katie Hodapp during a 'Veterans Breakfast' at the school. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        They spent the morning eating breakfast with and listening to war stories from about 70 veterans, nearly all of whom served during World War II. It was among many events in the Tristate this week as the nation prepares to honor veterans amid a wave of patriotism and with U.S. troopsoverseas in a war on terrorism.

        “This is like a primary source,” said Miss Gardner, of Finneytown. She perused medals, telegrams, uniforms and other memorabilia on display from the veterans' personal collections. “It's not a movie, it's not an excerpt out of a book. It's the real deal.”

        The veterans breakfast was conceived prior to Sept. 11, but it and other Veterans Day tributes are taking on added significance this weekend.

        “We're looking forward to having one of the best, most meaningful Veterans Day ceremonies that has ever been held at the Blue Ash Veterans Memorial,” said Rick Bryan, chairman of the Veterans Day Committee.

Former Green Beret Paul McGowan unfurls a 30-by-50-foot flag during his descent near Mason Heights Elementary. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        “We think a lot of people who have no direct affiliation (with veterans) will want to show up just as a symbol of respect for people who have served our country in the past and for folks who are now in harm's way in southwest Asia.”

        Brig. Gen. Robert Mixon Jr., deputy commander at Fort Knox, Ky., will be the keynote speaker Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Blue Ash Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park.

        Elsewhere in the Tristate, a special 6 p.m. Sunday service at Gospel Baptist Church in Montgomery will take on a patriotic tone as Pastor Greg Cooper delivers a message on “The Price of Freedom.”

        “We're trying to do everything we can as a church to encourage our people to be proud of the fact that they are Americans, and to stand for this country and pray for leaders, our president and those who are in the services,” the Rev. Mr. Cooper said.

        Jerry Newberry, spokesman for the VFW national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., said the interest in Veterans Day events has “dramatically increased” since Sept. 11.

        “I've spoken to a number of people across the nation who have talked to me about resurrecting Veterans Day parades,” Mr. Newberry said. “Some communities,due to lack of participation, interest and funding, eliminated those parades some years ago. The interest in veterans has rejuvenated plans to conduct parades and ceremonies.”

        This year's Hamilton County Veterans Parade will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hastings and Hamilton avenues in Mount Healthy. Immediately following will be a memorial ceremony at the Mount Healthy Veterans Memorial, which is being sponsored by Wesley-Warner American Legion Post No. 513.

        “It would be nice for the people if they would come out and give us a nice cheer, to root for us, especially with what's going on with our troops right now. We need all the support we can get,” said Thomas Woeste, parade chairman, legion member and member of the Hamilton County Veterans Committee.

        Some of that support being sought is coming in the form of “thank-you” letters from sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Glendale's St. Gabriel Consolidated School. Students wrote letters to veterans in 24 states, including the Tristate.

        Eighth-grader Jill Johnson came up with the idea for the letters. After Sept. 11, she said, students were looking for a way to thank “everyone who has given a helping hand to our country.”

        Earlier this week, several third-grade classes at Western Row Elementary School in Mason honored veterans by decorating the hallways with construction-paper poppies.

        Third-grade teacher Kelly Wade's students jotted down traits such as courage, faith and honor on the poppy petals as a way to commemorate veterans. The paper flowers were hung in the hallway outside the classroom. Fourth-graders created red, white and blue stars bearing veterans' names to hang from hallway ceilings.

        Besides these projects, the students read war stories and poems intended to teach them about American servicemen.

        “I want them to understand the importance of soldiers and what they do and how they protect us, especially after Sept. 11,” Ms. Wade said.

        Enquirer contributors Sarah Buehrle, Angela Koenig and Nancy Young assisted with this story.

Kentucky events honoring veterans
Ohio events honoring vets
McNUTT: Veterans deserve our thank-yous
Veterans Day closings

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