Veterans Day 2019: Reed speaks about making a choice to serve.

Maj. Tad Reed addresses the audience.

Veterans Day 2019: Reed speaks about making a choice to serve.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Area veterans were honored this morning during a Veterans Day ceremony at L.F. Peterson Auditorium. Maj. Tad Reed, US Army National Guard, spoke to the audience of veterans, students, and community members, about choosing to serve the community and nation, whether it’s serving in the military or other areas.

“Each veteran you know, including those in this room, made a choice to serve,” Reed said. “What is it that is the essence of a veterans service? If you take the time to ask a veteran, they might tell you that it boils down to a few things: duty, service to their nation, service to their state, service to their communities, service to humanity, terrific training and certifications, opportunity, including money for college or college loan repayment, brotherhood or sisterhood, structure, leadership and a place to become a leader, constant challenge.

“These are likely the primary attractors to the volunteer service of the men and women of the Armed Services. Note that many of these factors are transferable to non-military volunteer service.

“Consider what it means to serve something greater than yourself. Consider how, starting at this moment in your life, you can serve a great cause or give of yourself to assist others in need. How can you serve your nation or your state or your community or your school?”

World War II veteran Bill Klemm, left, and his son, Gary, a Vietnam veteran.

Reed spoke about various local organizations that welcome volunteers. He also talked about state and national resources that offer information on volunteerism.

“In an age of social connectivity, imagine the potential for change that people in this room can harness in this community. Make a choice to serve,” he said.

Reed is a 1994 graduate of Ludington High School and has served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard for 16 years.  Following the program veterans were served a complimentary dinner in the Ludington High School library.

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, honoring the armistice of World War I, that took place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance. Nov. 11 became a national holiday in 1938 and honors all American veterans, living or dead — unlike Memorial Day that honors those who died in military service to the nation.

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