Community Joins Together in Clifton Forge to Honor Veterans
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Clifton Forge, VA (Nov. 11, 2026)— This morning, Clifton Forge honored veterans around the nation with a special ceremony held at Veterans Park. The short event, which began at 11:00 a.m. and concluded around 11:30 a.m., was a heartfelt tribute to all those who have served in the military.
The ceremony commenced with an invocation by Father Tom McHenry, a Navy Veteran hailing from West Virginia. "Almighty God, today, as we remember this 108th anniversary of the first Armistice Day, we honor the worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect our country," McHenry said. "We pray that you will bless them for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country's heritage for all of us."
Jim Rhodes, veteran and Commander of VFW Post 4299, followed with a few brief words. As a leader of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the father of a daughter currently serving, and a veteran himself, Rhodes expressed his gratitude for the community's support of veterans and emphasized the importance of remembering their service and what they gave to serve. "All service members, whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, have wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their lives."
Afterwards, Father McHenry spoke again to provide a brief history of what initiated Veteran's Day, tracing its origins back to the end of World War I, when the armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. This day was originally known as Armistice Day and was later renamed Veteran's Day to honor all veterans.
Jenny Oeltjen, another local veteran, President of Clifton Forge Main Street, and owner of Livy's Closet, then shared her insights into the history and evolving role of women in the military. Her presentation highlighted the significant contributions and challenges faced by women who have served, as well as their history in the military. "World War I was kind of notable because it was the first time women did serve a little bit. We weren't even allowed to vote then, but we were allowed to openly serve in the United States military," Oeltjen noted. "...Today, we salute their bravery, sacrifices, and honor their legacy."
At the close of the ceremony, veteran, councilwoman, and 5 Sides stores manager, Debbie Laudermilk, proudly announced that Hawt Stuph—one of the many businesses in 5 Sides—will be offering a free medium coffee and free donut of choice today for all veterans.
The Journal was on the scene to capture several photos and the entirety of the ceremony that we hope to make available soon on our Facebook page.
|  | Father Tom McHenry gave both the invocation and a brief history on what initiated the celebration of Veteran's Day.
|
|  | Jim Rhodes, a veteran and local VFW Post leader, spoke on how each member of the U.S. military wrote a check to the United States that sometimes included the payment of their own lives.
|
|  | Today's emcee, Jenny Oeltjen, gave a moving speech at the close of the ceremony which discussed the many roles women have played in the military throughout history.
|
|
|
