Bradbury Receives 'Order Of Kosciuszko Award' At Veterans Day Ceremony
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw American Legion Post 49 Commander Roy Bradbury received the Order of Kosciuszko award for his service Sunday.
Bradbury received the award from John Sadler, award committee member, during the Warsaw American Legion Post 49 Veterans Day Ceremony.
The ceremony was at Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw and was attended by approximately 200 people.
The award is given annually to recognize a Kosciusko County resident who has given service to God, country and others in the spirit of Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
To receive the award the recipient must be an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, a Kosciusko County resident for no less than 5 years and displayed volunteer service in Kosciusko County.
Bradbury served in the Army National Guard for 11 years, is a second time commander of American Legion Post 49, served as the second district vice commander of Post 49 and served for many years on the Back to The Days of Kosciuszko committee.
Bradbury also has given numerous hours of service on the Kosciusko County Fair Board and maintenance and development of the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
He has given many hours of service as American Legion Post 49 commander.
“Thank you for the award, I never knew this was going to happen,” Bradbury said.
A service award was also presented during the ceremony to American Legion Post 49 and Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 1126 honor guards.
David Beall, Warsaw Municipal Airport manager and Army veteran, was the featured speaker. Beall served in the Army from 1979 to 1983.
Mike Davis, Warsaw American Legion Post 49 adjunct, introduced Beall.
Beall spoke about the importance of honoring and remembering veterans and active duty military personnel.
“While we are here to honor all of those great men and women, there is a group we don’t hear about enough,” Beall said.
“These are the veterans who have died for this country long after they stop wearing the military uniform.”
Beall said it is important to not only honor the veterans and active duty personnel, but their families as well.
“A community is only as good as the people who are in it and a land that produces heroes is a land truly worth serving,” Beall said.
Beall said it is important to support both men and women serving in the military.
“Women are major contributors to the military presence in Afghanistan today and many have given their lives in the global war on terrorism,” Beall said.
He also said veterans who are homeless must be cared for.
“It’s tragic the men and women who allow us to be safe in our homes are often without homes themselves when they shed the uniform,” Beall said.
Beall said there are local police and fire personnel who are veterans who should be honored.
“When an emergency hits there is a good chance that there is a veteran who will be the person who responds,” Beall said.
Patriotic-themed music was provided by the Warsaw Community High School band. The band played Armed Services medleys and attendees clapped as each veteran stood when their military branch’s song was played.
Pastor Tom Everett provided the invocation and benediction.
Larry Criswell, VFW Post 1126, and Davis read the names of members who have died in the last year.
Dick Dobbins conducted the tolling of the bells. The Warsaw Post 49 and VFW Post 1126 Honor Guards performed a 21-gun salute and taps.
