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We are the Future
By Bob Robinson
Editor
Hightlights of the evening: VFW Citizen of the Year Don Dietrich,
Keynote Speech by State Rep. Jim Buchy, Voice of Democracy Student
Winners, Patriot Pen Winners, a patriotic performance by East Echoes,
and three new awards: Post Member, Auxiliary Member and Booster Member
of the Year.
See photos below; view utube slide show here.
GREENVILLE - “We are the future” was the theme, provided repeatedly for
Veterans and their guests and supporters at the annual Greenville VFW
Post 7262 Americanism Banquet Saturday night… by Ansonia High School
Voice of Democracy winner Nicole Williams.
In her speech, which also won at District competition, she spoke of the
perception of irresponsibility of her generation, a perception that for
the most part seemed to be earned. But then told the group that they
were growing and preparing for their futures… and that the future of
our country will be safe in their hands.
“Because of your generation, people like you who have given much of
your lives for us,” she said, today’s generation can enjoy the freedoms
to seek “our dreams” and the ideals of our nation.
She then assured them that “because of our generation,” those in the
future will be able to do the same.
State Representative Jim Buchy (Dist. 77) spoke of the same freedoms
and the men who sacrificed so much to give them to America, noting in
particular some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and
the men and women having served in the Armed Forces since then.
“If the advancements, freedoms and achievements we enjoy were to be
written in 40 books, Book 1 would cover everything from the beginning
of recorded time to 1940. It would take the other 39 books to cover
those accomplishments since then.”
He noted that the United States, at 235 years, has the longest record
of freedom and democracy in the history of the world.
“But we are at a crossroads,” he said, adding that a democracy can only
exist until people begin to realize that rather than work for their
benefits and dreams, they can “vote” for them at the expense of others.
He said that following the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a woman
asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government they had given them.
“A Republic, if you can keep it,” Franklin told her.
“The issue is freedom,” Buchy said. “Are we going to keep it or are we
going to give it up?”
During dinner, The East Echoes performed for the audience, nearly a
half-hour of patriotic music that brought a standing ovation from those
in attendance.
The VFW 7262 Citizen of the Year was presented by Jack Harless to Don
Dietrich.
Scott Reed, Commander of Post 7262, presented the following awards:
Dwight Emmons, Post Member of the Year; Marlene McGlinch, Auxiliary
Member of the Year; and Dave Cline as Booster Member of the Year.
The Patriot Pen theme was “When is the Right Time to Honor our Military
Heroes?” Deb Myers, Patriot Pen Chair, presented the top three awards
to Madison Puderbaugh, 7th grade, Mississinawa Valley; Joseph Flayler,
8th grade, Arcanum-Butler Middle School; and Zach Baughman, 7th grade,
Greenville Junior High School.
The Voice of Democracy theme was “Does My Generation have a Role in
America’s Future?” Gail Snyder, VOD Chair, presented 11 awards to the
students. Winners in attendance were Nicole Williams, Ansonia HS;
Mitchell Garrett, Ansonia HS; Logan Moody, Ansonia HS; Kelli Sewell,
Ansonia HS; and Austin Bergman, Ansonia HS.
Winners not in attendance were: Karlita Adkins, Mississinawa Valley HS;
Britany Johns, Mississinawa Valley HS; Lauren Amspaugh, Mississinawa
Valley HS; Brooke Smith, Mississinawa Valley HS; Kelsi Meyer,
Mississinawa Valley HS; and Cody Evans, Mississinawa Valley HS.
Lyn Bliss introduced Buchy; the Invocation was given by Post Chaplain
Rev. Sam Hoeflich; opening remarks were given by Ohio Immediate Past
Commander Leon Johnson; and the Benediction was given by Auxiliary
Chaplain Doris Neff.
Public officials in attendance included Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers,
Darke County Auditor Carol Ginn, Municipal Court Judge Julie Monnin and
Darke County Treasurer Scott Zumbrink.
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