Menu
Navy Corpsman Wheeler delivers remarks at 10th annual Veterans Day Breakfast
Portageville, Mo. - The annual Veterans' Day Appreciation Breakfast was held last Saturday at the St. Eustachius Parish. One local man of small stature and a big heart was recognized as the Veteran of the Year. Charles Benny Morgan was that man.
The award was presented by Jana Morris, vice president and branch manager of the First State Community Bank, Portageville.
The annual ceremony began with an opening praying with Father David Baunach followed with the presentation and posting of colors from members of the Missouri National Guard 1221st. Transportation Co.
After they led with the Pledge of Allegiance, soloist Rachel McDowell performed the "Star-Spangled Banner".
The guest speaker for the event was retired Navy Corpsman Roger Wheeler. He had been selected for the 2015 Veterans Service Award which is granted by Missouri Lieutenant Governor in honor of exemplary volunteer service to the community, and record of work for his community and his country speaks volumes and is a testament for why he was chosen.
During his military service, Wheeler served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962 as a hospital corpsman, stationed mostly at Millington Naval Air Station, just north of Memphis.
He is also a deserving recipient of Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver Award, the highest award presented by the Southeast Missouri Council. He served as a Boy Scout Leader for over 20 years in addition to serving on the Boy Scouts Council as council vice-president.
Wheeler begins with a quote from Woodrow Wilson, “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do; we are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about." he also gives credit to the Arthur S. Demoss foundation for their book, "The Rebirth Of America" which many of his thoughts.
“Our nations founding fathers knew how to count the cost of liberty. on July 4,1776 there was signed in the city of Philadelphia, one of America's historic documents; the Declaration of independence. it marked the birth of this nation which, under God, was destined for world leadership."
“The fifty-six courageous men who signed that document understood that this was not just high sounding rhetoric. They knew that if they succeeded the best they could expect would be years of hardship in a struggling new nation. if they lost, they would face a hangman's noose as traitors."
“Of the 56, few were to survive. five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes, from Rhode Island to Charleston, sacked, looted, occupied by the enemy or burned. two lost their sons in the army. one had two sons captured. nine of the 56 died in the war from hardships or from its bullets."
“Although this is a brief comment, it reminds us where we have come from. it reminds us that the liberties we enjoy did not come easy. Nor, were they free. Lots of people paid the ultimate price for us."
“Where would we, who are the citizens of the United States of America, be today if there had not been those who count the cost of freedom and willingly pay for it? Where will we be tomorrow if men and women of integrity do not come forward and pay the price to reclaim what has a hint of a dying America?"
“Our economy seems to be healthy. yet, the media is proclaiming we will be going into another recession in the years ahead. historically, that may be the truth. if we look back at our economic history those things have happened. It will depend on the men of wealth who continue to grab off big chunks as our government leaders lay it out in the billions -even trillions. In the scheme of things, it appears that those who are reaping all the wealth are those who do not demonstrate any real integrity. Behind closed doors when offering financial support to a campaign where their attitude is all about me."
“To me we are a nation that is somewhat adrift. We all have heard about the greatness of the titanic that had caused her crew and passengers to feel inordinately confident. “Unsinkable" was such an assuring term. But, it proved to be a fatal misjudgment."
“Like the titanic, our great ship of state, America, maybe a little bit adrift and may be headed for a collision. many feel that we are unsinkable, but that assessment is rooted in feeling, not fact. The truth of the matter is that America has already run into some icebergs that may have damaged the hull and caused a few leaks. Our senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. are an embarrassment."
“The principal of the traditional monogamous family is no longer real. A family begins when a man legally marries a woman. diverse family forms such as common law marriage or homosexual marriage or living together out of wedlock are all too acceptable according to our supreme courts."
“The principle of common decency is falling apart as we allow pornography to be a billion-dollar business in this country. Lewd magazines portraying filthy acts are sold on newsstands at the eye level of a five-year-old. Television and movies are filled with vulgarity, profanity, and obscenity."
“The principle of the work ethic is a diminishing point. There is dignity in hard work, a dignity the welfare system has stripped from millions of Americans."
“In conclusion, the principle of a god-centered education. In recent years the name of God has been removed from public schools. What it has shown is that minorities rule our lives. what happened to the democratic process where the majority ruled? It only takes a majority of five supreme court justices to set the laws we have to live by. Five people in a population of near 400,000,000 is a pretty small percentage."
“I don't have the answers. we do need to go to the polls and elect people who will endeavor to help care for our veterans. there are so many flaws in our VA administrative systems. Most of this occurs when our representatives and senators have to compromise on everything they do. It would be nice to see them deal with an issue based on its merit rather than put a lot of unnecessary trash in with a real solution," Wheeler said.
Next, Rachael McDowell performed "America the Beautiful"
Then, after some other recognitions are given by Mason Kellams for those involved with the bank in putting the program together, welcoming state and civic leaders and acknowledging the Wilson's Catering Service, breakfast was served. Father David Baunach led in the closing prayer. The Veteran's Appreciation Breakfast was sponsored by the First State Community Bank.
