It was a somber occasion on Wednesday when area veterans, their family members and local boy scouts gathered to honor those who gave their all in service to their country.

As the fall wind whipped yellow leaves past the onlookers and various flags snapped in the air of a gray, overcast day, local veteran Benny Mullins spoke about the contributions veterans have made to freedom across the world and our American way of life, in the shadow of the statue of a WWI Doughboy.

Mullins noted that it was important for the public to show their respect, not just to veterans of past wars but to current veterans and future service men and women as well, noting that so long as the nation stands it will need those willing to take up arms in her defense, and fight for freedom and democracy.

Following Mullins presentation, members from various veterans organizations throughout the county raised the American flag and the state flag. The flag raising was followed by a 21 gun salute from the members of the VFW 6153 honor guard who fired their M-1 rifles in unison.

Chaplain Danny Smith ended he official ceremony in prayer, noting, “....Always remember we are here to serve God and country.”

Following the ceremony many veterans looked for friends they had not seen in awhile, including Gerome Dingess, a former mayor of Chapmanville who was in the military during World War II at the Battle of Normandy.

“I was discharged on the 31st of October in 1945,” he told a Vietnam era veteran. “I am looking for other World War II veterans here.”

Dingess told The Logan Banner that he thanked God for every day of his long life.

“I turned 85 on the 22nd day of August,” he said. “When I came home from the military I started a family.”

Dingess noted that many veterans of his generation are no longer with us, having passed on.

“Not a lot of the World War II boys are left, and that’s sad,” he said.

Longtime community volunteer Odis Ratcliff was also present.

“I come every year,” Ratcliff said, noting that he felt the Veterans Day celebration on the Island should be better attended.

“I feel they should do more to make young people aware of this and that more people need to come out and show their support for our veterans,” Ratcliff said.