When seeing each other, veterans often snap to attention, swinging up an arm and thrusting their hand in a sharp angle to their foreheads.
On Thursday, area residents delivered their own salutes, in the form of ceremonies and other tributes, to members of the U.S. armed forces.
American Legion Paul E. Bolding Post 7 and Sons of the American Legion Unit 7 sponsored an emotion-filled Veterans Day program at the Georgia Mountains Center.
The 90-minute event featured patriotic music, ceremonies and speeches, including comments from Pearl Harbor survivor Mack Abbott, who received a standing ovation from the audience when he rose to speak at the podium.
Maranatha Christian Academy in Oakwood and Chestatee High School’s band performed patriotic songs, and Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville posted and retired the colors. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office fired a 21-gun salute.
“It’s a great honor to be an American today, isn’t it?” said Ray Shubert, past commander-adjunct, receiving loud cheers from the audience.
“I am proud to have served our country and I bet veterans in here today were proud to serve their country.”
Joe Sartain Jr., past commander of Post 7, served as the event’s emcee.
“I love the veterans and I love this ceremony,” he said. “... This is a day when we all need to stand and say, ‘Thank you veterans.’”
Sartain went on to recognize veterans from past wars. Each group stood, receiving loud applause from the audience that had packed the Georgia Mountains Center’s theater.
He became particularly emotional when talking about Vietnam War veterans.
“We know what many of you went through when you came back, and it’s a darn shame and disgrace,” Sartain said, referring to anti-war sentiment directed at veterans during that time.
Lula officials held a 45-minute ceremony Thursday afternoon to recognize Maj. Kevin Jenrette, a Georgia National Guardsman who was killed, along with two fellow Guardsmen, in action in June 2009 in Afghanistan.
The city named a park after Jenrette, a husband and father of three young children.
The park is across from the city’s Veterans Park at the corner of Main and Athens streets.
“We had envisioned doing a small park there anyway and then, when this happened, we decided we would name it after Jenrette,” Mayor Milton Turner said. “We do have a plaque that is coming ... sort of like a historical plaque that will have his bio on it.”
In another area event, U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a Republican from Ranger took part in a Veterans Day breakfast at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega.
Guests included area veterans and members of the university’s administration, faculty and staff. The veterans in attendance also included several North Georgia alumni, members of the university’s Department of Military Science and current cadets.
Graves spoke to a crowd of about 50 people, thanking military veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.
He and his staff said they hope to make the Veterans Day breakfast an annual event in the district.
In downtown Dawsonville, a parade featuring veterans in antique Army Jeeps and others was held and Gov.-elect Nathan Deal delivered a keynote address. There also was a 21-gun salute during the sixth annual Dawson County Veterans Day Celebration.
“It’s nice to know how much people really care,” Wayne Watkins, president of the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, said earlier in the week.
“The showing we get for this event is something very special to all of us veterans, and we are grateful to all the residents who attend.”