STRONGSVILLE – A Veterans Day ceremony was held at the VFW Post 3345 Memorial on Nov. 11 amid a steady drizzle and cool temperatures.

Commander Tim Zvoncheck led the event honoring all who have worn the uniform of our nation’s military branches or who currently serve.

“Americans pause today to formally recognize and honor all those who served in the armed forces of the United States,” Zvoncheck said. “Our brave men and women have underwritten our freedom by the honor, courage and commitment they made to this country.”

Zvoncheck asked God that U.S. citizens be faithful stewards of the freedom granted and that we cannot celebrate this freedom without realizing its great cause.

“The debt we owe millions upon millions of American veterans is staggering,” he said. “These men and women placed on hold their families, their education and their careers to defend this country and the American way of life. Ladies and gentlemen, you and I are the beneficiaries of the tremendous sacrifices our veterans have made.”

Veterans who served during peacetime and those who experienced the horrors of war were honored.

“Let it be said that our veterans have been there for America and we, the people and government, must be there for them,” Zvoncheck said. “We must be there to support them in their time of need and must be there to defend them, as they have defended us.

“Those who have not worn the uniform will never understand what our veterans have gone through. Unless you have been there it is impossible to know what it is like to sleep in a fox hole in 25 degrees below zero knowing that the enemy plans to attack at the light of day or to crawl across a bloodstained beach trying desperately not to get hit. Only you what it’s like to nearly freeze to death protecting an invisible line known as the 38th parallel or wade through the leech-infested paddies thousands of miles away where you are vastly outnumbered and help is nowhere in sight.”

Zvoncheck also referenced the recent presidential campaign and certain segments of society during his comments.

“We’ve been embarrassed by the candidates that were running for the highest office in the land. We have seen a society where it is acceptable to either dress or act as the opposite gender, but is offensive to display one’s patriotism and religious beliefs,” he said. “It is a society where it is OK for professional athletes can disrespect our national anthem, but it is not OK to have people pledge their allegiance to this flag and the principles for which it stands. It’s time to change it back, back to the country which you and I defended., a time when patriotism overshadowed protests and this nation worked together to solve problems instead of working against one another to create more.

“In a few short months, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America. The citizens of this country have chosen a new direction. They elected a Washington outsider who never held a political office. Whether we agree or disagree with this choice we must all come together to support our new commander-in-chief ... I ask that you do not condemn the new leadership, but pray for their success. Pray they once again restore the patriotism that so many of us have fought for and pray that they use diplomacy instead of sending our sons and daughters into harm’s way.”