Latrobe Veterans Day observance 'isn't just for veterans'

Patriotic-minded residents from preschoolers to older adults on scooters turned out at Latrobe’s Memorial Plaza Monday morning to help honor those who have served in the nation’s military.

“Veterans Day isn’t just for veterans,” said Latrobe Police Chief John Sleasman, who was the keynote speaker at the community’s annual observance. “It’s a day for all Americans. It’s a day to remember why they were fighting and a day for us all to begin our journey of protecting our freedom and the freedom of many future generations.”

Sleasman began as a patrolman with the city police force more than a quarter of a century ago. He served for a combined 21 years in the Army and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, advancing to the roles of tank commander and platoon sergeant. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he was deployed to Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He told the crowd he’s proud to number among the men and women who were “ordinary people until they heard the call of duty and answered it. They left their families, their homes and their lives, not for recognition or fame or even the honor we bestow upon them today. They fought to protect our country and to maintain our way of life.”

Sacrifices veterans made include missing the births of children, freezing or baking in extreme temperatures and losing limbs. “Far too often, they lose their lives,” Sleasman said, while their children deal with the “uncertainty of whether or not mom or dad will live through their next combat tour.”

He called upon Americans to “serve veterans as well as they served us.”

He said the benefits offered to many veterans are “a mere drop in the bucket compared to the financial and human cost of war.”

Homelessness is among the problems besetting some veterans when they return to civilian life, Sleasman noted.

“Too often, today’s homeless citizens on the street were yesterday’s heroes, in a crisp uniform with rows of shining medals,” he said. “This is hardly the thanks of a grateful nation. We must do better.

“Veterans have given us security and freedom in the greatest nation on earth. It’s hard to put a price on that. We must appreciate them and we must never forget their sacrifices.”

Latrobe’s Veterans Day observance, preceded by a parade, was a cooperative effort of the town’s Paul Lizza Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3414 and the Thomas B. Anderson American Legion Post 515. Local scouts, the town’s fire department, the Greater Latrobe Wildcat Marching Band and the Marine Corps League’s Rolling Rock Detachment also participated.