By Christopher Johnson
The Veterans Freedom Park in Harrison held its annual Veterans Day ceremony this past Tuesday, honoring the many men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony began at 11:00 AM, with a cold chill that preceded an eventual flurry of snow that arrived afterwards.
The Speakers
After the presentation of colors, speaker Karl Houser welcomed the crowd. A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, and now Director of the Clare County Veterans Service Office, Houser reflected on his two decades of service across four continents. Where he worked alongside people from “a wide variety of ethnic, economic, and geographic backgrounds.”
“My worldview changed radically during my service,” he said. “I cannot stress enough how important my military experience has been to me in the years since my retirement in 2003.”
He closed by sharing how the values of camaraderie, respect, patience, and acceptance continue to guide his life more than twenty years after leaving the military.
The podium then shifted to introduce Scott Taylor, commander for the VFW Post 1075.
Since enlisting in 1988, Taylor has built a long career in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class, including two tours in Afghanistan. He now serves with both the Michigan National Guard and Army Reserve as a military police officer.
Taylor addressed the crowd with a message centered on gratitude and service.
“Less than four percent of society is actually willing to sign up and serve,” he noted, thanking the veterans and families gathered at the ceremony.
Taylor reminded listeners that Veterans Day honors all who have worn the uniform, not just those lost in war. An important distinction that separates Veterans Day from Memorial Day. Acknowledging those who served in WWII, through Korea, Vietnam, the post-9/11 conflict in Afghanistan and beyond. “Veterans Day is about recognizing their choice to place country above self,” he said.
He went on to honor service members across generations and branches. Taylor also recognized nearly 81,000 Americans who are still absent as prisoners of war. Adding that “until every hero is accounted for, we will keep the candle burning.”
As the United States nears its 250th anniversary, Taylor reflected on the lasting “contract” between veterans and the nation: “Every time a service member steps forward, they make a contract with America. Today, Veterans Day is our opportunity to tell them the contract is valid, the debt is real, and America will honor it.”
He closed simply: “When you see a veteran, thank them. But more importantly, listen to them.”
Jerry North, post commander of American Legion 404, took a moment to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice and discipline that, he said, form “the foundation stones upon which a great nation is built.” He reminded listeners that “freedom is not free” and called all veterans “a national asset to this country,” before turning the microphone over to the ceremony’s special guest and final speaker, Lieutenant Rebecca Postma.
Rebecca grew up in Dearborn Heights and holds degrees in psychology from Calvin College and social work from Grand Valley State University. She now serves as a supervisor in the homeless program at the Saginaw VA Medical Center.
As an Army reservist, Postma deployed to Afghanistan from December 2009 to October 2010 with the 467th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control Unit, stationed at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province. She completed her service as a first lieutenant and earned multiple honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
She is also a proud cancer survivor.
Postma shared how she joined the Army Reserve at age 37 after more than a decade as a licensed social worker. She said she enlisted to “help soldiers in a more meaningful way.” Her unit’s mission was to establish mental health clinics across Afghanistan. A task that would soon be marked by tragedy.
During training at Fort Hood, Texas, her unit was present during the 2009 mass shooting that killed 13 people, including five from her team. “Every single soldier who was able to deploy chose to deploy,” she recalled. “We did it to honor our fallen and injured comrades.”
She spoke bravely about living with post-traumatic stress and the ongoing effort to find peace after such loss. “I will always believe I could have done more,” she said, “and I will always feel anger toward the coward who chose to take his feelings out on defenseless people who were there to serve. But those negative emotions are no longer consuming. I’m grateful for the life I have, and I’ll keep working to honor the sacrifices of our fallen comrades.”
Her story closed the ceremony on a note of quiet resilience. A reminder that service continues long after the uniform is folded, and that healing itself can be an act of courage.
Karl Houser then spoke once more to invite all attendees to a luncheon at the Harrison VFW, before signing off for the retirement of the colors.
The Students
During the ceremony, which commenced during public school hours, schoolteacher Michael Long and his class of fifth graders from Larson Elementary joined from the sidelines.
“We want them to learn about veterans and show that respect for their upcoming generation,” says Long. “I feel like it gets pushed to the wayside. It’s really important that we’re teaching them to respect, honor our military men and women. Hopefully someday, some of them will serve as well.”
Afterwards, the students toured the park’s property and took their time appreciating the atmosphere and its artwork before returning to school to resume their studies.
Larson Elementary HCS has been very passionate about promoting military appreciation amongst its young student body. Last year many classrooms created crafts to display, commemorating the day. While other classrooms created a colorful bulletin board, with a video message for veterans that was shared via social media.
Other classes that were present at Tuesday’s ceremony besides Mr. Long’s included Ms. Jensen, Mrs. Romanowski, and Mrs. Pratt.
