It was a cold fall morning Tuesday as the late morning sun filtered through the golden autumn leaves at Veterans Memorial Park. A stiff north breeze whipped the rows of Old Glories lining the Avenue of Flags.
Meanwhile, amidst this fall majesty, a handful of local residents braved the bitter chill to honor those who have and are serving in America’s armed services. It was Veterans Day 2014, a time to reflect and pay tribute.
 “All gave some, some gave all,” said Terry Young in his remarks. He represented Chapter 27 of the Disabled American Veterans, which sponsored this year’s citywide observance.
“This is a truth we veterans know above all others, as it remains with us for a lifetime,” he said. By being here today and taking time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of veterans, all present demonstrated that this is much more than a catchy, patriotic phrase.
“It illustrates that you understand, whether through your own service or through the service of others, the truth veterans know all too well,” he said. “No one leaves the  military unchanged.” 
The ceremony started patriotic music performed by the Great Bend High School band. There was also a presentation of a folded U.S. flag to Cody Helms, commander of Great Bend Chapter 27 Disabled American Veterans, from 95-year-old Lonnie Wright, a disabled American veteran, World War II Army Air Corps vet, Silver Star recipient and Pearl Harbor survivor.
The color guard then posted the American, POW/MIA and Kansas flags. This was followed by the National Anthem played by the GBHS band and the Pledge of Allegiance. 
For some, there are physical injuries that drastically changed life as they knew it in the blink of an eye, Young said. For others, the wounds may be invisible, but the pain is very real.
“It isn’t an easy journey for our brave men and women as they work to overcome the challenges they face as a result of their service,” Young said. “But our veterans have never sought out the easy path.
“Service before self: three words that define every person here today who has worn the uniform of our great nation,” he said. “Each one of you has sacrificed, and I would like to thank you, from one veteran to another, for that solemn commitment. A grateful nation would like to thank you for your service, as well.”
 Young quoted General Dwight D. Eisenhower: “‘Each one of you bears upon his body the permanent, honorable scars of dangerous service: service rendered in order that our great nation might continue to live according to the expressed will of its own citizens. ... Courage, devotion, drive, sacrifice, discipline, optimism, mutual help, loyalty. Together, they mean effective teamwork.’”
“Indeed, what makes the United States military effective is not one soldier, sailor, Marine, airman or Coast Guardsman,” Young said. “It is the sum of the whole that drives victory.”
This camaraderie applies to service personnel of all eras who bear the scars of war, be they visible or not, Young said. “We will not leave our wounded behind. We recognize what they did for us.”
General Eisenhower may have uttered those words nearly 70 years ago, but they remain relevant today, Young said. 
Next, Taps, played by GBHS band member Ben Diel, echoed across the otherwise silent park, and yellow and black balloons were released into the wind, honoring all veterans who have served and/or are now serving our country, especially those who have lost their lives and those who are missing in action or prisoners of war.
 Prior to the gathering at Veterans Memorial Park, Great Bend High School held an assembly to honor veterans. The students prepared musical numbers and other special presentations.
An armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of World War I.
This is why Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, is held on Nov. 11, and most ceremonies take place at 11 a.m.