Veterans Day Ceremony Honors Service Amid Snow

On November 11, despite snow showers and an already snow-covered Chardon Square gazebo, community members and veterans gathered for the annual Veterans Day ceremony. The event was hosted by Chardon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519 and Chardon American Legion Post 167.

Community Tribute and Support

Michele Pemberton, director of Geauga County Veterans Services, welcomed veterans with hot coffee and donuts. She emphasized the importance of the day:

“Veterans Day is a day to thank those who served this beautiful country.”

She recalled an early Veterans Day speech she gave in harsh, snowy conditions, where despite numb hands and lips, veterans and civilians stood united. She noted the resilience learned from military training:

“As soldiers, we are trained to adapt to weather and our surroundings, so we ‘suck it up and accomplish the mission.’”

Honoring a Dedicated Servicemember

Steve Oluic, Chardon VFW quartermaster and Master of Ceremonies, described his military journey. Interested in Army ROTC during his final years at Case Western Reserve University, he was commissioned as an officer after graduation. Now in his 19th year of service, Oluic shared that the Army assigned him to serve as an assistant professor of geography at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, later advancing to assistant dean of strategy and policy.

Summary

The Veterans Day ceremony in Chardon highlighted community dedication and military commitment, honoring those who serve regardless of weather challenges.

Would you like the summary sentence to be more formal or casual?

Geauga County Maple Leaf — 2025-11-12