Fort McCoy celebrates 100th Veterans Day with prayer luncheon

Photo By Aimee Malone | Chaplain (Col.) R. Scott Brown, First Army command chaplain, speaks to Fort McCoy, Wis., community members during the annual Veterans Day Prayer Luncheon on Nov. 7, 2019, at McCoy's Community Center. Brown spoke about the importance of remembering all veterans on this day, whether they were drafted or volunteered, whether they served overseas or in the United States, and whether they served for a year or 20 years. (Photo by Aimee Malone, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

11.15.2019

Story by Aimee Malone 

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

The Fort McCoy Religious Support Office held its annual Veterans Day Prayer Luncheon on Nov. 7 at McCoy’s Community Center.

Guest speaker Chaplain (Col.) R. Scott Brown, First Army command chaplain, spoke about the importance of remembering all veterans on this day, whether they were drafted or volunteered, whether they served overseas or in the United States, and whether they served for a year or 20 years.

“Our veterans all signed on the dotted line, and they enlisted. I don’t care if you were drafted; you still had to sign something. And you raised your right hand and you repeated (the oath),” Brown said. “We raised our hands to support and defend the constitution of the United States.”

Like most chaplains, he said, he doesn’t approve of four-letter words. However, in his opinion, the worst four-letter word is “just.”

“Just is one of the worst words when we start using it to minimize what we’ve done,” Brown said. “’I just served for a year.’ No. You served for a year.”

The effects of serving in the military last throughout a lifetime, Brown said.

“The veteran’s service doesn’t end because they take off the uniform. The conflicts continue,” he said. “It’s the family stressors. … It’s the spiritual injury I never addressed. It’s the physical injury that comes back. Those are all battlefields that they continue to engage, day in and day out.”

Brown finished his speech by talking about the importance of remembering and honoring the service of all veterans.

“Veterans Day is all about remembering. Remember the service of those who have gone before, those who are still here, and those who are to come,” he said. “Remember that everyone who enlisted served, endured the hardships, and engaged in warfare of some type — internal or external.”

Several local veterans were invited to attend and honored as special guests, as well — retired Sgt. 1st Class Gilbert Poff, who served in the Army during World War II and the Vietnam War; former Tech Sgt. Floyd Pratt, who served in the Army during World War II; and retired Chief Petty Officer Lawrence Abbot, who served in the Navy during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Music was provided by Michelle Jones, contracted pianist for Fort McCoy Garrison, and Pastor Paul Frey of InFaith of Wisconsin. Prayers were conducted by Chaplain (Maj.) Amy Noble with the 88th Readiness Division; Chaplain (Maj.) Wyne Hutchings with the 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade; Chaplain Candidate (1st Lt.) Jonathan Render; Chaplain Jef Skinner, police chaplain for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Pastor Brian Young with Sparta Faith Evangelical Free Church; and Frey.

The first Veterans Day, called Armistice Day, was observed on Nov. 11, 1919.

For more information about services offered by RSO, call 608-388-3528.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2019
• Date Posted: 11.15.2019 17:06
• Story ID: 351949
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US