Veterans Day, it’s not just a day off work for some in our community. It’s a day to honor those who made the decision and the sacrifice to serve our country.
“A veteran, whether active duty, discharged or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his life,” said Iraq War Veteran Aaron Paul Vice.
Like Retired Chief Petty Officer Jim Spiller, who served 23 years in the United States Navy.
“I was actually drafted when the Vietnam War started,” said Ret. CPO Spiller.
For Spiller, serving our country runs in his blood. Spiller’s father is a Retired Chief Petty officer as well.
“He never talked to me about it, but as a son I looked up to him, and I saw what he did, and I joined the military,” explained Spiller. “I saw what he liked in it. I don’t know, it’s kind of magnetic. I just stayed in it, and I wanted to be as good or better than him.”
SPO Spiller, along with dozens of other veterans, came together at the Old State Capitol to be honored for the annual U.S.S. Kidd Veterans Day Ceremony.
“It feels great to come together again with the people I served with. I may even have a bonus. I may even run into one of may friends,” concluded Spiller.