(Publisher’s message: Be sure to check out the large gallery of photos at the end of this story from the ceremony.)
Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer introduced one of city’s own — Lt. Col. Deron Reynolds USAF, (Ret.) as the guest speaker during yesterday’s Veterans Day ceremonial tribute to local veterans at Veterans Park.
Reynolds, a graduate of Birmingham Seaholm High School with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from U-M, completed 25 years of active duty about a year ago, Lindauer said.
He flew combat missions in Iraq, with other overseas deployments to Yugoslavia, Korea, Libya and Germany.
“In 1997, he completed his tour as an instructor pilot at Lake Air Force Base and was separated from active duty in the Air Force,” the mayor said, adding he began his flying career with United Airlines and joined the Michigan ANG.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, he re-embarked full-time with the Michigan ANG and deployed four times to Iraq, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Northern Watch in 2011 and to Libya for Operation Odyssey Dawn.
“Here at home, Lt. Col. Reynolds flew Homeland Defense and Air Sovereignty alert missions during Operation Noble Eagle,” Lindauer said.
Reynolds took a personal and historical look at Veterans Day, reminding the audience that those over 70 years old remember Nov. 11, 1918 as Armistice Day.
He said he’s always been “a bit uncomfortable” when someone thanked him for his service, adding that “most veterans have never seen combat and we feel unworthy of praise.”
So, he offered tips to those of us who want to say thank you to veterans.
“Don’t gush” unless the person has received a Congressional Medal of Honor or the veteran saved you or a family member.
“Don’t say thank you on Memorial Day.” This day, he said, is meant to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and it’s a time for veterans to remember friends who died in service to this county.
“Have at it on Veterans Day,” he said, thanking veterans who served this country.
“Your presence here shows that. On behalf of myself and everyone else here, thank you,” he said.
