Soldiers honored by those who fought before them

Damascus veterans hold an appreciation day to thank the wounded who have recently returned from battle

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Brian Lewis⁄The Gazette John Seipp, a longtime member of Damascus American Legion Post 171, chats with soldier James Kiklis of Colorado during a community appreciation event Saturday.

‘‘I was overwhelmed with emotion,” said McGrew, president of Operation Second Chance, a non-profit organization set up to aid injured soldiers. ‘‘I was happy to see such a great turnout, but it didn’t surprise me to see Damascus come out. It is great to see them support this event.”

About 150 community members turned out for the event, which included raffles and an auction to raise money for Operation Second Chance.

The group, founded by McGrew last year, provides financial support, essential items and moral support to injured soldiers, including those staying at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Damascus post sponsored the event as a way of showing gratitude to the soldiers for their service and demonstrating the caring nature of the Damascus community.

James Peck, 79, has been a member of the post for the last 10 years. He fought in the Army in World War II and wanted to his younger counterparts to be able to forget their problems for a while Saturday.

‘‘These service people have made an enormous sacrifice for us,” Peck said. ‘‘We are trying to make it easy for them to enjoy something. We are grateful for what they have done. We had our turn and we are honoring the ones that are doing it now.”

The legion has 177,000 members in Maryland and there are 420 members in the Damascus chapter. Only veterans that have been in combat can join the organization.

The Soldier Appreciation Day Program was also co-sponsored by the Damascus Community Bank, which helped pay for the event.

Michael Ornelas, 34, is a gunner in the National Guard’s 184th Infantry who was deployed to Iraq on June 16, 2004. He was injured on Sept. 21, suffering a broken fibula and tibia. On Saturday he smiled as he enjoyed the festivities with his leg propped up on a nearby chair.

‘‘It is special that people go out of their way to show their patriotism toward the soldiers,” Ornelas said.

After lunch for the soldiers, singer Sheila Marie treated the soldiers to one of her one-hour musical performances. She performed many Pasty Cline songs, including ‘‘Crazy.”

‘‘These soldiers were risking their lives everyday for our country and I think we need to honor that,” said Marie, 37, of Lovettsville, Va. ‘‘I think it is important for every community to be honoring them who risked their lives for our country.”

Vietnam veteran Frank Carpenter served overseas from 1960 to 1964. He is now the commander of the Damascus post. He is proud of fact that the Damascus community came out to participate in the program.

‘‘They wanted to show their appreciation for the veterans and what they are going through,” Carpenter said. ‘‘Whether or not they believe in what is happening, now that we are in it, we want to support [the soldiers] and not try to undermine what is happening to let them know they are appreciated.”

Rodger Folkerts, a flying mechanic for the Air Force 437 Air Wing, flew into Iraq and Afghanistan throughout 2003. In August 2003, he injured his back and has had surgery at Walter Reed.

He appreciated his day in Damascus.

‘‘This is a small town,” Folkerts said. ‘‘A lot of times you think in a big place like Atlanta, they have parades and show appreciation. But it means more here. They went out of their way.”

Members of Cub Scout Pack 495 and Boy Scout Troop 1397 waved flags and greeted the soldiers during the reception.

‘‘They try to teach them right from wrong and an appreciation of freedoms,” Folkerts said. ‘‘It builds character and integrity. They see soldiers and it is real. Seeing it firsthand they will appreciate it more.”

After the program was over, the Damascus post members saluted the honored soldiers as they rode away for their return to Walter Reed.