Janesville commemorates Memorial Day
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Michelle Sharp says she'll honor veterans until the day she dies.
The Parkview High School student won the VFW's Voice of Democracy Speech contest, and gave the Memorial Day Address at Janesville's ceremony Monday. She says she stands to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day, and she's proud that she says it loud. Sharp thinks of her uncle when she plays the Star Spangled Banner with her high school band. He was injured by shrapnel while serving in Vietnam.
In his closing remarks, Master of Ceremonies Mike Jeffords said the veterans present at Courthouse Park were not heroes, but survivors. He says the soldiers who gave their lives are the real heroes.
Scroll down for an audio feature of this story.
May 27, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.
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I did 6 years. Went to war, came home. Got sent on a number of humanitarian missions,hurricane relief, typhoon relief, and various other community help projects in underdeveloped nations. I am not a hero. I did my duty as a citizen and served. I chose to serve in the military because of my family history of military service. You can do your duty in any number of organizations, not just the military. Either way, I think the hero word gets thrown around way too much. Let the people that are/were there decide who the heroes are.
May 27, 2008 at 11:54 a.m.
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If you would have taken the time to attend the cermony you would have heard the whole speech and would understand exactly want Jeffords was saying. He was speaking with Medal Of Honor recipients and what he took any from the converstion is they all felt-They were not heros the soldiers who didn't make it home were the hero's and they were the survivors plus they felt they were doing their job--read the article HONORING THE REAL HEROS. Then maybe you will get it! Think before you start judging...Jeffords words were wonderful and heartfelt and MADE YOU THINK!
May 26, 2008 at 10:41 p.m.
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mymaro, I hope that someday you don't know the difference.
May 26, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.
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sorry servicemen and women.
May 26, 2008 at 8:39 p.m.
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gazettefan, who cares. they were enlisted to defend your freedom. every person is a hero defending my country. doesnt matter what particular duty they have they are defending us all. to insinuate that only 5% are true heroes is totally idiotic. you are pathetic for saying that.
with that out of the way Id like to say THANK YOU to all our servicemen, past and present. SOME of us appreciate and are very grateful for your service.
May 26, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.
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Many people don't know that only 5 out of every 100 Vietnam vets were true COMBAT vets. The other 95 had relatively cushy jobs.
Point being: Everyone can't be called a hero, or else the word has no meaning.
May 26, 2008 at 3:58 p.m.
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Any one how signs up to serve in the military is a hero. It is not a job for everyone as many who could not make basic training will tell you but the service men and women who make it and put in their time to defend our freedom deserve respect from all of the US today and every day. They truly are HEROES in my eyes!
May 26, 2008 at 3:34 p.m.
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That comment floors me!! Anyone who serves/ed is a hero, the one that came home are "lucky" heros!!
May 26, 2008 at 3:06 p.m.
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i hate to say it but anyone who goes and fights for freedom is a hero. Veterans are heros as well. What just because they made it home doesn't make them a hero?
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