Mike Wolanin | The Republic Members of the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard fire a rifle volley during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
Just before Thursday’s Veterans Day program in Columbus began, the temperature dropped 6 degrees and a strong wind created a flurry of autumn leaves next to the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
But the nearly 100 spectators held their ground.
As vocalist Matt Pillar sang the national anthem and Chaplain Major Brian Hargis gave the invocation, strong wind gusts blew papers and the sound was picked up through the microphone, creating a noise that resembled thunder.
But still, the crowd held their ground.
As the keynote speaker — retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Rick Caldwell — approached the podium, rain began to fall. The precipitation became heavy at times during Caldwell’s address, prompting technicians to scramble to cover electronic equipment with plastic. The heavy wind gusts were also blowing off hats and turning umbrellas inside out.
But still, everyone held their ground. Nobody fled for cover. Nobody tried to escape to their cars. Nobody even grimaced as they listened intently and respectfully during the annual observance.
And why didn’t anyone flee? It was because the program to recognize all veterans living or dead was worth a little discomfort, retired postal worker and Vietnam veteran Kerry Slahta said.
“We’ve been through a lot more than this,” Slahta said. “I’ve been at many Veterans Day ceremonies when it has been freezing cold, but I refused to leave — just like everybody else.”
While maintaining his composure, Caldwell also expressed appreciation for the crowd’s willingness to brave the elements by coming to the event.
“I recognize and deeply appreciate the respect you have shown to our heroes,” Caldwell said. “It means so much to know our sacrifice is not forgotten by the nation we proudly serve.”
Caldwell has earned the respect of many local veterans. Named a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Caldwell has worked passionately for several veteran causes that include helping former military personnel in court, starting a military support network, organizing efforts to provide supplies and services, as well as health screenings and counseling.
Caldwell’s words also seemed to hit home to many veterans – especially when he began going through a long list of traits describing the military lifestyle.
“We loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with our own lives,” the keynote speaker said.
But Caldwell earned some additional credibility by also listing, “We smoked and drank too much” – “We grew up fast, and yet somehow, we never grew up at all” – and “Some of us dealt with physical warfare, but most of us dealt with psychological warfare.”
Many faces in the crowd appeared younger than 50, but that was no surprise to most current military personnel. The largest group of Indiana veterans (35%) enlisted during the Vietnam War era, while those who served during the Gulf Wars (1991 to 2021) are not far behind at 34%, according to a study by Indiana University.
During the second half of his address, Caldwell explained how difficult it is for a recently-discharged veteran to readjust to civilian life. Since military life changes a person, new veterans often have difficulty coping with the fact that their hometown seems different from when they left, he said.
While author Thomas Wolfe once wrote that “you can’t go home again,” Caldwell offered constructive advice on readjusting to civilian life.
“When comfortable, the returning soldier should talk to their loved ones openly to avoid unnecessary conflict,” Caldwell advised. “This should include expressing known triggers that suddenly cause changes in their mental situation. At school and work, they must use their military knowledge to be productive. Though the risk is there to be misunderstood, the value outweighs the choice of being silent.”
And his long-term advice for all veterans? “Try to remember the good times and forget the bad times,” Caldwell said.
For some at the ceremony, forgetting the bad times might be easier said than done.
“During the ceremony, I thought about guys that I lost in Vietnam,” said Slahta, a former sergeant and radio operator with the Army’s 9th Infantry Division. Nevertheless, Slahta described the keynote speaker’s address as “very touching.”
Caldwell’s final message to the crowd was a plea for all civilians to help veterans any way they can this holiday season. His suggestions ranged from giving a veteran a homemade meal to assisting them with rent, utilities or car payments if possible.
Indiana is home to about 550,000 veterans, which is about 8% of the state’s population, the American Legion states. About 4,495 Bartholomew County residents have served in the military, which represents 5.5% of all county residents.
Approximately half of all Indiana veterans are 65 or over. That includes the 7.3% of Hoosiers veterans who fought in the Korean War, and the 3.6% who served during World War II.
