Perry County gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 11, for its annual Veterans Day remembrance, an event typically held outdoors with a parade that beginss at the American Legion and ends at the Perry County Courthouse where a patriotic program is held. But this year’s unusually cold temperatures and strong gusting winds led organizers to make a last-minute decision: the entire ceremony would be moved indoors to the American Legion hall. Despite the sudden change, every group scheduled for the parade arrived and took part in the celebration, filling the hall with veterans, local officials, Scouts, musicians and community members.
The program began with Perry County Clerk Jared Kutz, who welcomed attendees and quoted General George S. Patton Jr.: “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” Kutz asked the audience to rise for the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Brent Buerck, Perryville city administrator, delivered the invocation, offering prayers for veterans, their families and the nation. He asked for God’s guidance and protection for those who continue to carry scars — seen and unseen — because of their service.
EXPRESSING GRADITUDE
County Commissioner Keith Hoehn and Perryville Mayor Larry Riney each addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude for veterans and acknowledging the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms Americans enjoy. Riney offered a warm welcome to the Scouts present, noting the importance of young people participating in honoring veterans. He also urged the community to support veterans and their families, saying, “Some of our veterans have paid a dear price for our freedoms— mentally, physically, or in some cases both.” Kutz also recognized the marching bands of Perryville High School and St. Vincent High School, noting that community events lose something vital without their presence. He thanked members of the American Legion, AMVETS, VFW, and local first responders for mobilizing quickly when the program was moved indoors. The cooperation, he said, was a reminder of the American spirit: “We just figure things out… This morning is an example of that.”
Before introducing the keynote speaker, Kutz reflected briefly on the history of Veterans Day, which began as Armistice Day marking the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. He emphasized that the freedoms Americans enjoy—including the freedom to speak, protest, and disagree—exist because of the sacrifices of those who have served. “Folks, we have more in common than that which separates us,” he said. “That is what the American veteran fought for.
A VETERAN’S STORY
The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Jason King, a Perry County resident, 1997 Maryville High School graduate and 23-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. King began by acknowledging the cold morning and warmly thanking the community for coming together to honor service members.
Over the course of his Coast Guard career, King said he traveled thousands of miles, navigating the entire Mississippi River, the lengths of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and much of the Gulf of Mexico. He participated in drug interdictions in the Caribbean, migrant rescue operations in the Florida Keys, and life-saving missions off the treacherous Pacific coastline.
With humor, he noted that despite all those miles, “I’ve never seen a UFO.” What he has seen, he said, are countless men and women standing the watch—often in silence— protecting the nation with devotion and courage. “We call these veterans,” he said. “And I call them heroes.”
King shared the story of Master Chief Petty Officer Terrell “Terry” Horne, a close friend he met during advanced training. On Dec. 2, 2012, Horne and his crew were conducting counter-drug operations off the coast of California when a suspected drug boat ignored commands to stop and struck the Coast Guard vessel at high speed. Seeing the imminent danger, Horne dove in front of his coxswain to protect him. He was thrown into the Pacific and later died from his injuries. He was 34, with 13 years of service, and his wife gave birth to their third son just 10 weeks later.
King said he remembers his friend every Veterans Day.
“If I could just take one thing away from this Veterans Day, it’s that the veterans — we all did it for you,” he said. “Be proud of them. Show them your support. But most importantly, talk to us. We have stories to share from a life that most of you probably don’t understand.” He concluded with a quote from President Ronald Reagan about the strength required to preserve peace, reminding listeners that America owes fallen service members a debt that can never truly be repaid.
