Community honors veterans in moving ceremony

Air Force veteran John Foster makes an announcement about upcoming events during the annual Veteran's Day program inside the Cal Brand Meeting Room at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

As the names of 150 former military personnel who died during the past year were read late Monday morning, not all of the over 230 people in attendance watched the release of balloons — one for each name read – during the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony.

Some simply bowed or shook their heads in deep thought.  More than a few fought to hold back tears.

In most cases, tears are shed by a child remembering a parent.  As Misty Wolfe reflected on her father, Dallas Brinker, who died last December at age 73, her husband, Anthony Wolfe, described Monday’s ceremony as “beautiful.”

“You always have your own funerals for your own families, but to see others you don’t know going through the same thing – I think it’s very special,” Anthony Wolfe said.

Charles Reynolds, a member of the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard, plays Taps during the annual Veteran's Day program at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Charles Reynolds, a member of the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard, plays Taps during the annual Veteran’s Day program at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.