Winamac VFW Auxiliary honors Vietnam veterans with monument dedication during annual Pulaski County Veterans Day Service

Veterans and community members came together on the north side of the Pulaski County Courthouse in Winamac at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, for the annual Pulaski County Veterans Day Service. 

Pulaski County Sheriff Chris Schramm recognized local veterans during the event, highlighting their dedication to protecting our country's liberty, equality and unity. 

”Veterans Day is not only about remembrance, it's about responsibility,” Schramm said. ”It's our responsibility as citizens to ensure that every veteran returning home be welcome with respect, support to finding purpose and given access to the care they earned. We must continue to fight for the living, for those battling wounds we can not see and for the families carrying the burden of service to the next generation of men and women who will serve.”

A memorial dedication from the Winamac VFW Auxiliary, honoring veterans who served in Vietnam was also highlighted during the ceremony by former Pulaski County Coroner Jon Frain. The memorial sits on the east side of the Pulaski County Courthouse lawn as a reminder for generations to come about the sacrifices vets made during the Vietnam War. 

”50 years ago a decade long war came to an end. Many of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines came home, but they were changed. Many never came home. That pain was felt in Pulaski County,” Frain said. ”Families were unable to welcome home their loved ones killed in the line of duty. While many veterans who came home may not have felt that heroes welcome, it is with great honor and pride on behalf of the Winamac VFW Auxiliary and the grateful citizens of Pulaski County, that we dedicate this Vietnam War memorial to the men who were killed and the men who came home.”

A three-gun salute by the Winamac VFW Auxiliary closed the ceremony, causing emotions and feelings to stir from attendees at the event. The three-gun salute, formally called the three-volley salute, is a ceremonial rifle fire performed to honor vets during funerals and ceremonies, symbolizing duty, honor and sacrifice.