Bronson Hosts Levy County Veterans Day Parade; Veterans Speak of Pride Serving Their Country

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

The Levy County Veteran’s Day Parade and celebration in Bronson brought hundreds of citizens to the town to watch veterans and their supporters proudly display their patriotism.

Residents gathered at James H. Cobb Park for a ceremony after the parade and listened to veterans give their insights into what it’s like to serve in the military and to defend and protect the nation.

One of the speakers, Matt Bodner of Bronson American Legion Post 236, told a heartwarming story about being approached at a store while in uniform before the start of festivities on Veterans Day.

“The most honoring, gratifying experience I’ve had was earlier today. I was walking in the Dollar General to get a plaque when two young children walked up to me and stood there at attention and said to me, “Thank you sir for your service.” That brought tears to my eyes,” Bodner said.

American Legion Post 236 marched as the Honor Guard at the front of Thursday’s veterans’ parade. Bodner said the post also was given the honor of placing the colors for a ceremony Wednesday dedicating the expansion of the Veteran’s Wall of Honor at the Levy County Courthouse.

He also told the story of receiving a call from a fellow hospitalized veteran who desperately needed some support. He said the veteran had gone to have an infected toenail treated and wound up having his leg amputated after the infection spread. He didn’t go to the hospital expecting an amputation.

Bodner said veterans support other veterans. They understand one another and take care of each other. They listen when it’s important to hear what a veteran has to say.

“We walk in and sit down. By the time we leave smiles on their faces just from us listening, just listening to their time in the service, where they were stationed, what they have done in the military,” Bodner said. He ended his speech by thanking every veteran for their service.

“Thank you,” he said.

Veteran Dick Taraud told his audience to remember one thing.

“Without the veterans, we would not be free and especially say a prayer for those who have fallen fighting for this country,” Taraud said. “Then I would like to thank our first responders because they make our life safe and protect us. I am a representative of Amvets Post 88 next to the Bronson Race Speedway. We have the Ladies Auxiliary, we have the sons, we have the riders and the vets. I consider us a family. Anyone who is interested and qualified, come on down and we’ll sign you up.”

Levy County Commissioner Matt Brooks, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Bosnia, said he takes enormous pride in having served his country in the military.

“The pride I have comes from serving in the United States Army, from being deployed overseas to Bosnia and sleeping in a tent for a year,” he said. “It will teach you a lot about yourself, teach you a lot about pride in your country. Every time you look at that flag and you step back on our soil, you’ll get a chill down your spine you would never believe you could have.”

Brooks said when people see a veteran tell them thanks for their service.

“They have made a sacrifice being away from their families. Their families are the ones left behind when there is a deployment taking place and there are really a lot of people that don’t realize what military families have to go through,” Brooks said.

He encouraged anyone who is thinking about joining the military to speak to a veteran and get to know a veteran.

“Get to know the pride in the country and what it means. Nothing thrills me more than young people stepping forward and doing ROTC and joining the military and raising that right hand. I can promise you it will change your life forever. You will travel to places you may not want to go to, but that’s all part of the job. You got that blank check. Uncle Sam’s going to tell you what to do,” Brooks said. “I thank all the veterans. I was not a combat veteran but I do really respect all that fought so hard for us every single day.”

Brooks said he is proud to be a member of a Gold Star family, having lost a family member in World War II and having a father who fought in Vietnam, and having a brother who is an Army Ranger. He said a nephew is a chief warrant officer and door gunner in a Chinook helicopter.

“I can tell you I am very proud to be part of a military family and I’m very proud to serve the citizens of Levy County,” Brooks said.

There was one hiccup in the Bronson Veteran’s Day festivities. The fireworks display at James H. Cobb Park were fired off early.

Town Manager Susan Beaudet said everyone started leaving after the ceremony so she made the decision to launch the fireworks show early rather than at 8 p.m. as originally announced.

The town park was dark and almost empty by 8 p.m.

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