WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – This week, veterans and active-duty members are being honored across the nation, throughout the region, and right here in Richmond.
Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11, to recognize all U.S. military veterans. It was first issued in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, a message to the nation on the first Armistice Day.
Locally, Richmond celebrated with a special Veterans Day luncheon at the Leland Legacy, hosting over 100 veterans to honor their service.
In partnership with Brewer Broadcasting and 15 area sponsors, the “We Thank You Veterans” event marked the first of its kind. Veterans were offered an afternoon that included free meals, live music, and words of appreciation. Attendees at Monday’s event represented a wide range of service eras, from Vietnam to Iraq.
Sally Wittbrod and her husband attend Veterans Day events yearly, both having served in the Army.
“It’s just the thing to do,” Wittbrod said. “We appreciate the recognition. It’s a good chance for others to recognize just what the miliary has done to help the country.”
The luncheon featured keynote remarks from Marine Corps veteran and national speaker Josh Bleill, who shared his personal story of service, loss, and perseverance.
Bleill, who has family roots in nearby Liberty, said being part of the event felt like coming home.
“This is home for me,” he said. “My dad grew up around here, and my grandparents lived in Liberty for a long, long time.”
Following the events of 9/11, Bleill joined the U.S. Marine Corps, continuing a family tradition of military service. In 2006, while serving in Fallujah, Iraq, he was severely injured by an improvised explosion device.
“I woke up six days later in a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany,” he recalled. “It took months to really grasp the fact I’d lost my legs, I lost Marines over there, and that my life was forever changed.”
After returning home, he began speaking publicly about resilience, a message that resonates deeply with those who served. It also gave veterans, like Jay Price, a chance to reflect on their own experiences.
Price was drafted in the early 70’s, serving as a PFC in the 82nd Airborne from 1970 to 1972. He attended the meal after his brother-in-law heard about it on the radio and signed him up.
“I went kicking and screaming, but I went,” Price said. “It’s good to do your duty. You just accept the responsibility of doing it. I’m a better man for it.”
While Price reflected on his own military service, Veterans Day also resonated on a larger scale. Pastor Brett Karanovich led the meal with a prayer. He shared about his father who served 22 years in the Army and that he and his siblings also served in various branches.
“Veterans Day is just very important to me to remember the freedom that I have today for those who paid that sacrifice beforehand,” he said.
Alongside him was Pastor Angel Pibilev, who was raised under communist rule in Bulgaria, and tied the significance of the day to global struggles for freedom. Now serving with humanitarian missions in Ukraine, he has made more than 20 trips delivering generators, medical supplies, and essential aid to soldiers. His team plans to continue their efforts, hosting a Ukrainian dinner in Richmond and partnering with local professionals to provide medical and dental support to troops abroad.
As Monday’s event ended with shared stories and a standing ovation for Bleill, it served as a reminder that Veterans Day celebrates both the sacrifices of the past and the ongoing service of those who answer the call today.
