Garner’s elected officials gathered with the community Nov. 11 to celebrate “Great Americans” who have served or are currently serving in the military.

However, Mayor Ronnie Williams, who served during the Vietnam War, said no veteran that he knows has ever joined the military for the accolades.

“Ask any veteran,” he said. “They didn’t do it for the recognition.”

Garner Senior High School graduate of the class of 1974 Col. Craig Hales spoke about his time in the United States Marine Corps and what the holiday means to him.

“Veterans aren’t necessarily special people,” he said, “but there’s something unique about being a veteran.”

Anyone that enters the military takes an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, Hales said, which requires sacrifices from men and women in uniform and their families. For that, Veterans Day is a day to thank military families as well.

“Too often, it’s harder on the family than on the service member,” he said.

Among the many people that inspired Hales, he said there were several veterans in Garner he met that exemplified lives of character, honor and dedication to family – all traits he wanted to emulate in his own life.

Hales also said Americans could be proud of future veterans. He oversees many Marines and sailors that have courage above and beyond the call of duty.

In attendance for Rep. Bob Etheridge, Sonia Barnes thanked Garner’s veterans for helping to make America what it is today, a place where children can dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality.

“Because of you, we can go to bed at night with the assurance that we are safe,” she said.

Barnes also presented the VFW Post 10225 and American Legion Post 232 flags that were flown over the Capital building Oct. 20. A place for the future

President of the Garner Veterans Memorial Committee Harold Annis said although a plaque has been placed at Lake Benson Park for the site, the group still needs financial support to make it happen.

“It has been the dream of many that in coming years, we will honor our veterans at their Garner Veterans Memorial,” Annis said. “They deserve it. You can make it happen.”