Retired Air Force Col. James Fryer addresses attendees at the annual event on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Evesham held it’s annual Veterans Day ceremony last week to honor those who served in the military.
The guest speaker was retired Air Force Col. James Fryer, and leading the ceremony was Jerry Cannata, a retired master sergeant with the Air Force Reserves.
“Veterans Day is a special time for our community,” said Mayor Jaclyn Veasy. “It’s a day to pause, reflect and say thank you, not just with words, but with genuine gratitude. The freedoms we enjoy every single day exist because of the courage, sacrifice and dedication of those who served.”
The crowd also heard singer Leif Gjellstad, essays read from Van Zant Elementary students Sophia Figueroa and Oliva Lombo and a tribute song from the VG Acappella Fellas.
“I want to make a special shoutout to our Vietnam veterans, Fryer noted, “because there was a time where they didn’t get this kind of treatment when they came home from their war. For those of us who came home from Afghanistan and Iraq, it’s been a little bit different.
“It’s nice too see now in our nation, regardless of the political divide and which side you’re on, everyone now honors our nation’s veterans.”
Fryer also acknowledged the many vets who struggle with mental health and encouraged ceremony attendees to offer their support.
“The number are staggering,” he explained. “Since 2001, over 140,000 veterans have taken their own lives. That’s … about 6,500 (deaths) per year, or about 17 to 22 a day. The best thing we can do is find the best way we can support them. So I urge you to find a way to support the veterans who are in need, be it through charity or any venue you think is appropriate.
“They served us, and now it’s important for us to serve them as well.”
The evening concluded with small gifts for veterans from the local Marlton Daisy Troop.
The township gave special recognition to the following veterans who had plaques added to its Veterans Wall of Honor: Robert J. Baines, Sr., Army; Raymond A. Brunner, Marines; Vincent J. Dragani Jr., Army; Robert A. Mayerson, Air Force; Gregory Richard Nelson, Marines; James Thomas Reed, Air Force; Frank Ray Ritter, Navy; and Jacob Libby Schor, Marines.
