Veterans Day Ceremony honors those who served and are serving

Enterprise High School JROTC Cadet 1st Lt. Mark Barnes stands beside the Wall of Freedom during the Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the City of Enterprise and the Disabled American Veterans Wednesday at the Enterprise Recreational Complex. Members of the JROTC recognized POW-MIA soldiers in a special ceremony.

By By Carole Brand Ledger Staff Writer
Published: November 12, 2009

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Hundreds of people attended the annual City of Enterprise and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 Veterans Day Ceremony Wednesday to remember those who sacrificed for their country and those currently serving in the military.

The ceremony, hosted at the Wall of Freedom at the Enterprise Recreational Complex paid tribute to veterans, all current military and POW-MIA service members.

Guests included U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell and speaker, Lt. Col. Michael F. Burns III, commander of the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker.

The 1st-212th is the partnership regiment for Enterprise.

Burns, who received his commission in 1991, previously has been assigned to Korea, deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and again in 2005 in support of the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief operation. He assumed duties as the Battalion S3 before the battalion’s deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom and, in 2008, following redeployment from Afghanistan, Burns assumed duties as the deputy chief of staff for the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence, where he served until assuming command of the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment.

Burns said people have asked him why he choose a career where he might have to be in danger.

“Just like a firemen, they know that someday they may have to go in harm’s way. It’s the same with a soldier. You do your duty even though you know you could possibly one day be in danger. We want to honor the past veterans who are here tonight and those families of the soldiers and the military men and women who are serving today,” he said.

Bright also praised the military families and soldiers of the past and present.

“Enterprise honors those who served and in this city of progress, the military families who live here and the soldiers, we honor those who have given of their service and those who are continuing to sacrifice for their country.”

DAV Commander Ken Prier presented Burns the Boll Weevil Award and Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell was presented an American flag and POW-MIA flag.

Boswell, Bright, Burns and Prier participated in the laying of a wreath as Enterprise City Councilman Bill Cooper played Taps to end the program.