On Nov. 11, 2015, Veterans Day, Williams-Jobe-Gibson American Legion Post 128 will add to their Veterans Day activities the reading of the 427 known deceased veterans buried in the Sidney Cemetery. The reading of each deceased veteran will be in alphabetical order with the identification of the war the veteran served in. As each name is read, an authentic replica of the Liberty Bell will be rung.
The reading of the names will include veterans from the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Also, the names of veterans who have served in the military in peacetime will be read, as well as the veterans who served in the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
The reading of the veteran names will be on the south steps of the Fremont County Courthouse, and this event will begin about 1:30 pm and will run for approximately two hours.
On that day, the courthouse lawn will be flying many American Flyers in honor of our veterans. On a sunny day, the setting will be memorial.
The members of Post 128 participating in the reading of the veteran names will be Roger Kissel, Terry Graham, Randy Monroe and Novie White. Also, Graham and White will alternate ringing the replica of the Liberty Bell after each veteran name is read.
At the conclusion of the reading of the veteran names, Kissel will do the closing prayer and Monroe will play Taps.
In Sidney, Tom Van Scyoc has agreed to provide use of a public address system; Gene Pearsall has agreed to the loan and use of the replica of the Liberty Bell; and the Sidney Church of Christ has agreed to loan and use of a podium.
The replica of the Liberty Bell is an exact replica, except in size. The Liberty Bell's measurements were made and checked to be as precise as possible. This replica has never been rung in Fremont County. The public is encouraged to listen to the reading of the names, and hear and view the Liberty Bell.
On Veterans Day, this is a way that Post 128 and our community honor all citizen soldiers who have served in the uniform of our country. Our country, our state, our county and our city have a long heritage of young men answering the call of our nation to bear arms in time of war. Also, Post 128 will conduct a Veterans Day program at Sidney High School and then at the Sidney Ambassador. The high school program will start in mid-morning and the Sidney Ambassador program will follow shortly thereafter.
The replica Liberty Bell was cast in 1974 for America's Bicentennial Celebration. The replica is 3/8 actual size and with stand weighs almost 300 pounds.