Photo by Brent Addleman
Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson was the featured speaker yesterday morning at Johnsonburg Area High School's annual Veterans Day program.

By Joseph Bell

Staff Writer

JOHNSONBURG – Local veterans, county officials and Johnsonburg school district personnel and town officials gathered yesterday morning for a Veterans Day program in the high school auditorium. Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson was also in attendance and spoke of the importance of the nation’s veterans.
Johnsonburg Area School District superintendent Walter Fitch defined a veteran as, “an individual that serves their country through military duty whether it be during a time of peace or a time of war, whether it be past or present, whether at home or abroad.”
Those in attendance at the event included Leslie Neal, Elk County’s director of veteran’s affairs; Elk County commissioner Daniel R. Freeburg; David Zilkofski, Johnsonburg’s mayor; Office David Cuneo of the Johnsonburg Police Department; District Judge George A. “Tony” King; members of Johnsonburg Borough Council and the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen’s Detail. Congressman Thomspon addressed the crowd about his experiences in his personal life and professional life in regards to why veterans are so important to him.
“It is such a privilege to be here among so many American heroes, so many freedom fighters,” Thompson said. “Thank you for your service. Men and women who have served and sacrificed. Their sacrifices provide us the liberty and the blessings of a free nation and we can never take that for granted or forget.
“I’m reminded of this on a regular basis when I visit our wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Medical Center when I am at Washington. I offer my prayers to them on behalf of a grateful nation. These warriors – men and women without exception – are quick to thank me for coming and want to complete their healing and return to the fight with their comrades.”
Thompson spoke of a painting in the Pentagon that raised questions for him about our servicemen. The rookie legislator, after some thought, was able to come to an answer.
“There is a large painting in the Pentagon in the stairwell on the way to the office of the Secretary of Defense,” Thompson said. “It is a depiction of World War II with a soldier in uniform with his family at the altar of a church. Part of the painting has the inscription of Isiaih 6:8 that reads, “Here I am, send me.” The scripture is an answer to the voice of the lord asking whom shall I send and who will go for us.
“When I think of the heroism that our veterans have displayed from the times of the Revolutionary War to the War on Terrorism, I keep coming back to the same question, what inspires them to say, ‘Here am I, send me.’ Our veterans respond to the country’s call for service. These individuals have many reasons for joining and for serving the nation. All of these can be summed up with these two words – selfless service.”
For Thompson, the military is close within his family and he is quick to recognize the significance of serving for your country.
“Coming from a military family with a father who is Korean war Navy veteran and a son who is a Purple Heart wounded warrior in the United States Army, I wholeheartedly appreciate the many sacrifices of our veterans and service men and women,” Thompson said. “The freedoms we enjoy today have been earned and retained on their sacrifices and blood.”
Three students were recognized as winners of a writing contest. Nikki Oler was presented an award by the Wilcox American Legion. Anna Polaski won the Tony Marrone award and Kadie Zilkofski won the Johnsonburg American Legion award.
The students were also given the opportunity to speak during the hour-long program.
Oler spoke of how much veterans mean to everyone.
“We owe them so much, our families, our lives and our freedom,” Oler said to the crowd. “It is because of these courageous men and women putting themselves in the way of danger on the front lines so that we can stand here today.”
Polaski spoke of the type of person it takes to serve their country.
“It takes a special person to devote themselves to serve their countries.” Polaski said.
Zilkofski spoke to the crowd about the sacrifices all veterans have made to ensure the freedoms we enjoy.