VETERANS

from Liberty Hill Digest • December 2022

WHY IS THIS A THING?

VETERANS A Salute to Liberty Hill Veterans

by Ann Marie Kennon • photos by Kendra Cofer

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans. These gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of fighting at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

Here in 2022, Liberty Hill celebrated and honored local veterans at its own focal point—Veteran's Memorial Park—at the city's fifth annual ceremony. Communications Manager Katie Amsler was pleased with the turnout, particularly given the weather delay, "Liberty Hill is proud to have a strong veteran network. Their bravery, sacrifice, and strength do not go unnoticed in our town."

ONE-PERCENT-ER

West Point graduate, 11-year Army and Iraq combat Veteran, and Liberty Hill resident Captain Robert Baughn was honored to be the guest speaker. EDC Director and veteran Demetrice Gonzalez said she inquired in the veteran community about a possible speaker and said his name came up many times. "It's tough to select from among so many great Veterans every year. CPT Baughn stood out for his support of the community, its businesses, and even LHISD, which is dear to my heart. He has a passion to support those who are here and welcomes many others."

Captain Baughn shared three distinct messages and began by addressing the young men and women in attendance. “Your country needs you. There are very few militaries on this planet that are all volunteer, even among democratic nations, and certainly none of the size of the United States’ military. This is a result of a proud American tradition of service, pride in your community, pride in our great country, and a desire to safeguard democracy.”

This year, the Army fell to its largest deficit of recruiting in 50 years but he reminded everyone the citizens and veterans in our community will support those who choose to serve. He also praised the older generation who generate wealth with their labor—“the fuel that sustains the most effective fighting force in the world. Without every citizen of this community contributing to society and generating taxable wealth, we would never have the tanks, rifles, ammunition, artillery, aircraft, technology, and more that are necessary to overwhelm our enemies and defeat them on the battlefield.”

Addressing veterans, he said, “You are part of the one percent. We are elite among American society, not because we wore a uniform or were deployed, but because we place values like service, integrity, and selflessness above anything else... because we place our American society before ourselves, and countless among us demonstrate this through our volunteer actions every day, even long after we receive our discharges.”

Having shared many examples and accolades for many who believe in doing the greatest good he concluded, as many great Americans have, with a blessing on Liberty Hill, Texas, and the USA.

Pam Turner (left), director of the Linus Project at Cross Tracks Church was pleased to present Captain Baughn and his wife, Karly, with a commemorative quilt. Pam said, "We typically make quilts for kids in crisis but just last month decided as a group to make one for the Veterans' Day speaker. We pulled all our fabrics together, cut, laid out, and sewed all in one day. This was the first time we all worked the same quilt together so it is a little bit of all of us. We had a blast and decided we would do it again next year." She added that the Linus Project welcomes new members looking to learn and share the rewards of helping children in crises. While all are welcome to attend Cross Tracks, quilting is open to everyone in the community regardless of church membership. Visit crosstrackschurchumc.org for more.