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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 13, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 12, 2004 Vietnam veteran Gary Vercammen of Medford listens to a speech during Thursday�s ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park in Medford. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli The veterans A gathering of former soldiers, their families and friends offers a tribute to ‘the greatest generation,’ ‘the latest generation’ By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune For Harlan Untz, Veterans Day always brings back a flood of memories. "It makes you feel bad," said Untz, 87, who was stationed as an Army infantryman in the Pacific islands during World War II. The Medford resident showed his misshapen hand that had been shot and later repaired by a series of surgeries. "I got wounded in Okinawa the same day President Roosevelt died," said Untz, who carried a photo in his wallet of his seven medals, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Advertisement Untz was among nearly 200 people who came to honor military veterans Thursday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park in Medford. Herbert Robb, program coordinator and speaker, acknowledged Oregon National Guard Spc. Brett Miller during the ceremony. Miller, a former student at Hidden Valley High School in Murphy and resident of Williams and Jacksonville, is home on leave and scheduled for deployment to Iraq in nine days, according to Robb. Armistice Day was created by an act of Congress in 1926 to commemorate the signing of the armistice ending World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. In 1954, the name changed to Veterans Day, as a day to honor all men and women who have served in the U.S. military. "Veterans Day is a day to not only honor the greatest generation, but also the latest generation," said speaker Maj. Gen. David Trump, retired from the U.S. Air Force. He said those in the service continue to fight the tough duty that freedom requires. "The war on terrorism will likely last many years ... the forces of freedom did and will prevail," he said. Thursday’s event included honors, bagpipes, a bugler and several color guards. Richard Steele, 47, said he spent 18 years in the armed services with six years in the Navy, nine years in the National Guard, and then active duty during the Gulf War and time in the Army Reserve. He said Veterans Day has a lot of meaning for him. "Like it says in the Bible, God said that we were to take days in memoriam," he said, adding that there is a brotherhood among veterans, and the day acknowledges those who have made sacrifices. "Some gave all — even today our young men are giving all," he said. Untz said today’s soldiers are different than he was. "They do a lot of things that I wouldn’t do," he said. "They take a lot of chances. I feel sorry for the guys going through all those buildings, with those booby traps." The ceremony ended with a release of helium balloons, "to signify our everlasting hope that the MIAs and the POWs will come home," said Robb. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities