27th. Annual Veterans Day Celebration
By Chris Spencer
(Huntington, WV Nov. 11) Huntington honored and remembered the
veteran's Tuesday morning with a parade and ceremony at the Veteran's
Memorial Arch in Ritter Park.

The road to the Memorial Arch in Ritter Park was a sight to
see with American Flags and crosses lining both sides of the road.

The parade had high school bands from Huntington High.
Fairland, South Point and Chesapeake mixed in with veteran groups,
military representatives and community groups.

The parade started at 10 AM and marched from 14th. St West to
the arch where a ceremony started one hour later with a fly over and
sky divers landing with an American Flag to the applause of those
gathered.

Walter Felty served as the Master of Ceremonies of the event.
An invocation was given by Oscar Rose followed by the presentation of
the colors by American Legion Post 16. R.W. "Rick" Bohnke led the
Pledge of Allegiance.

Remarks were made by Huntington Mayor David Felinton followed
by keynote speaker Lt. Col. Robert Iddings, Commander of the 130th.
Airlift Wing that directed his squadron in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The squadron is based in Charleston, WV.

Iddings flew in 45 combat missions during the six month
deployment of his unit on a C-130, They faced enemy fire and danger.
The operation is still continuing and Iddings was expected to return
again to south east Asia in early December based on a 60 day rotation.


Iddings said, "If called upon we could answer the call with a
minimum response time. An exemplary Air Force is based on a solid
foundation with intelligent and professional people that are on active
duty and on reserve."

"Our guard members are a national treasure. They are
motivated, disciplined and ready to serve their country on a moments
notice."

"In early March 2003 we had the opportunity to display what
we had trained to do in actual combat operations and my squadron
performed admirably."

"We employed all our aircraft and personnel in less than tens
days to arrive in the middle east eight days prior to the beginning of
Operation Iraqi Freedom."

"What was our typical mission like? Like all veterans we
know that no mission is typical. Everyone is unique each presenting
its' own set of challenges."

"Flying in the middle east had its own set of obstacles and
concerns with political sensitivities that have to be dealt with not
the least of which was flying in hostile air space."

"Our aircraft is big, an easy target and flies slowly with
a limited means of self defense. We have no active means of self
defense. To say the least flying in Iraq was and remains a very
intense operation."

"We carried every type of cargo the C-130 was designed to
transport like personnel, munitions, Iraqi POW's, rolling stock,
ammunitions, the wounded and yes even the bodies of our fallen
comrades."

"The United States military draws talent from all walks of
life. The best and the brightest. The patriot and the hero. From small
towns to large cities, from the West Virginia country side, from sea to
sea form border to border with out question we want to thank you."

Iddings also thanked those for taking part in the 27th
Annual Veteran's Day Celebration saying, "We appreciate your tireless
efforts. Thank you to the civic groups, churches, schools and
individuals that have done so much."