With the goal of honoring the men and women who have served the United States of America, residents gathered first at the Logan County Courthouse, then headed into the Holland Theatre for the annual Veterans Day ceremony Monday, Nov. 11.
Once again the celebration started with members of the Logan County veteran’s memorial squad lowering the courthouse flag to half-mast, followed by the memorial rifle squad presenting the 21-gun salute.
After attendees were seated in the theatre, Joe Messner, first vice-commander of the Harold Kerr American Legion Post #173, led the pledge of allegiance and opening prayer. Mayor David Crissman took the stage next to share a few words.
Crissman spoke of the stories, heroic deeds and sacrifices of veterans, and added, “But behind each story is a person—a mother, a father, son or daughter—who chose to serve, knowing they were willing to face the unknown, to leave behind their families, and to fight for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.”
Messner then introduced Monday’s guest speaker — his son Corbin Messner. Corbin joined the Marine Corps in 2013, eventually reporting to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., where he studied aviation electronics and avionics warfare.
But before that, the 2011 Bellefontaine High School graduate tried college, where he only lasted one semester, and joined the Army … temporarily. When he couldn’t find the job he wanted there, he met with a Marine Corps recruiter.
The recruiter presented Corbin with 11 traits and told him to pick the three that mattered most. He chose travel and adventure, meeting a challenge, and gaining self-confidence.
“He made me put on his Navy blues coat and said, ‘You feel good, don’t you?’ Oh, yeah,” Corbin shared.
Corbin was sent to boot camp, which he called “the funniest place you can ever go to without laughing.”
Eventually, Corbin landed in North Carolina, where he learned how to work on helicopters. That job took him to Quantico, W. Va., and the presidential squadron in January 2017. He was awarded the Presidential Service Badge on April, 5, 2018.
And he got to travel, listing places like Normandy, France, and Brussels, Belgium, and every state in America. He also met President Donald Trump—”a really cool experience.”
Next, Corbin was “voluntold” to be a recruiter in California, which he did for three months before returning to Ohio. Corbin is now preparing to return to the Golden State to, again, work on helicopters.
Corbin’s wife, Christina, also graduated from BHS and served in the Marine Corps. He thanked the families of veterans for the sacrifices they make for their loved ones.
In closing, Corbin read an essay and stated, “Stand tall and proud for you have earned the right to be called a veteran.”
Following the annual flag and 21-gun salute ceremony at the Bellefontaine courthouse, Joe Messner, first vice-commander of the Harold Kerr American Legion Post #173, speaks to attendees in the Holland Theatre for Veterans Day. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
