YOUNG HARRIS – To show their appreciation for the bravery of “hometown heroes,” Rotary Club of Union County members held their Fifth Annual Veterans Day Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The event kicked off without a hitch despite the rescheduling of the related Veterans Day Ceremony at the Union County Fine Arts Center due to inclement weather.
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Despite that, attendance was high with an estimated number of more than 180 people joining the camaraderie that came with a terrific meal. Veterans and their families took up most of the seats, but many friends also showed their support that day.
Before taking part in a lunch prepared by Young Harris College’s Sodexo staff, guests were welcomed by Gene Windham and Steve Cavanaugh. The American Legion Honor Guard posted the colors, and patriotic pride swelled as the crowd sang along to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. William Markham served as keynote speaker, representing his organization, Project One Vet @ A Time, and sharing just a fraction of his 30-year military career by delving into his background and even divulging a harrowing war story.
Markham is a legend in his own right, having been inducted into the Air Commander’s Hall of Fame and the U.S. Special Operations Command Hall of Fame in 2021. A movie was even created based on some of the orders he executed behind the scenes.
To start his presentation, Markham highlighted the importance of Veterans Day itself. With warriors of past conflicts aging and passing on, it is essential that their community honors them while they’re still around to experience it.
And on the subject of communities, Markham believes that “Veterans Day would be nothing” without the spouses, family and friends of veterans. It is because of events like the luncheon that veterans have places to gather and find fellowship not just among themselves, but with those who care.
Now, Markham says, this country needs that sense of camaraderie more than ever.
To illustrate the importance of working together, Markham recalled a time in service to his country, describing an experience he had during the retaking of Kabul in November 2001.
“We found ourselves in the firefight of our life. We were facing about 10,000 Taliban,” revealed Markham, remembering how it felt to realize that his fellow soldiers – both Americans and Afghans in the Northern Alliance – were relying on him as a commander. He felt that their families, too, depended on him to get their fathers, sons and brothers home safely.
He and his forces made the decision to use Boeing B-52s to take on the enemy. Markham’s commanding officer couldn’t green-light the plan; dropping such powerful explosives could mean friendly fire with how close Markham was to the enemy at just 500 yards.
When his mission was disapproved and he was warned of the risk of death, Markham responded with, “Well, then you write the letter to my daughter.”
Taking a moment to reflect, Markham asked himself, “What do you do with that kind of responsibility? That kind of call? Are you willing to risk your life for your service? For your love of others?”
He went forward anyway, and the bombs landed “exactly where they were supposed to,” leading to the Nov. 13 turning point that resulted in the liberation of Kabul.
“To go through those streets and see the amazement of those people at the freedom that we had bought them because we were willing to work as a team – that’s what veterans do. That’s what military servicemembers do; service lies freedom before self,” Markham said. “Nobody is more special than anybody else … At some point, you have the opportunity to pay it forward, to serve it forward.”
Years later, he continues to uphold his belief in helping others through his organization, Project One Vet @ A Time, or POVAT. Following his own battle for justice to claim his benefits, Markham made a choice to help others enduring the same fight.
POVAT helps veterans navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability claim process and earn compensation. Their support comes at no cost to the veterans being helped. In fact, the only thing Markham asks in return is referring another veteran to get aid.
To keep POVAT going strong, the Rotary Club presented a check of $1,000 to Markham after his moving presentation, which received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance.
“If you need help, give it a shot. Get introduced to me. I want to find out what your fight is, and help me help you,” Markham declared in closing to the veterans around him.
To take advantage of the services POVAT has to offer, head to www.projectovat.com and learn more.
