Old and young filled the government center lobby

MONTICELLO – Service members, active duty and retired, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, politicians, and everyday folks attended the annual Sullivan County Veterans’ Day ceremony to honor the nation’s vets.

Veterans attended a ceremony Wednesday honoring their service in the armed forces and to give thanks to those on active duty.

Past Department Commander of the American Legion Rich Kaiser presented Charles Buckholtz with the Sullivan County Veteran of the Year award. Buckholtz is the vice president of the Rolling Thunder organization.

Master of ceremonies and former Sullivan County Veterans Affairs Director Al Etkin said that Veterans’ Day is a time that is dedicated to our living veterans and the 1.4 million service men and women around the world.

 “The 96 living recipients of our nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor; Medals of Honor were awarded since the Civil War. Seventeen veterans received it twice. No living service member has received the medal, our nation’s highest military award for valor, in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,” he said. “Six have posthumously received this decoration, four for acts of heroism in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.”

Etkin also paid respect to the Monticello Police and Fire Department stating “everyday they are there for us, true heroes.”  He also recognized the presence of the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops.  Etkin said “that as they attend these Veteran Day and Memorial Day events, they learn more than they do in school.”