Oxford Veterans Day celebration brings community together

Veterans, students and residents alike gathered in Martin Luther King Jr. Park Uptown on Monday for Oxford’s annual Veterans Day celebration, put on by Oxford Parks and Recreation.

To start the celebration, the Oxford Parks and Recreation Learning Block’s preschool class performed the Pledge of Allegiance while waving tiny American flags. Bel Canto, the Talawanda Middle School choir, sang the national anthem, and Krupa Patel, president of the Key Club at Talawanda High School, delivered a speech on the importance of service in both military and nonmilitary capacities.

The event featured Patrick Hannon, a retired U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant. Hannon served for 20 years in a number of different posts and has been awarded a medal or ribbon from every branch of the military.

Hannon’s speech touched on his time in service, specifically what he learned from the experience. Hannon advised the crowd gathered to listen:

“Always wear a good-looking uniform from head to toe, be early for everything but going home, don’t hang around with knuckleheads, do your job and don’t complain in public,” Hannon said.

Casey Wooddell, director of Oxford Parks and Recreation, also recognized Officer Bill Thissen of the Miami Police Department for his years in service. Thissen performed the ceremonial laying of the wreath.

Attendees were then encouraged to take either a red or white carnation from the baskets provided and explain who the flower was for. White flowers symbolize family members who served and are currently living, and red carnations symbolize those who served and died. Participants placed the red carnations on the wreath.

Wooddell said he liked that young people attended the event, highlighting the importance of teaching children about the significance of the day. Many of the middle school students also took flowers and spoke about parents or grandparents who served.

“We’ve tried to incorporate every generation into this event because it’s important to teach our young kids about it,” Wooddell said.

Jonathan James, director of the Oxford Rotary Club, attended the event with other members of the club who held flags behind the podium and served as the event’s backdrop. James said he enjoyed seeing the community gather together for these events.

“I think it is always heartwarming to see the littlest members of our community start the ceremony with reciting the Pledge of Allegiance,” James said.

David Prytherch, city council member and attendee, said he thought it was a nice coincidence that Veterans Day falls so close to Election Day because the celebration can serve as a way to bring the community together after the high tensions of an election.