WOODSTOCK, Ga. — The City of Woodstock honored veterans on Monday with a candlelight vigil. The evening opened with a color guard presenting colors. Several speakers, who have also served, read poems and proclamations.
RELATED: 'I got hate mail': Vietnam veteran, wife remember hardships during Veterans Day celebrations
Each branch of the military was recognized when their respective song was played. Then, the Taps song was played to honor the fallen, followed by a shotgun salute.
Navy and National Guard veteran Scott McElroy was the Veterans Day program's keynote speaker.
"It is a profession where you can be asked to lay your life down for it," McElroy said.
McElroy hopes everyone took away his message of peace over war.
"Committing our troops to any type of conflict should be an absolute last resort," McElroy continued. "Because when diplomats fail, it's the soldiers that have to pick up the mantle."
RELATED: Veterans Day 2024 | 101-year-old World War II veteran living in Atlanta recalls his Army service
McElroy's suggestion to anyone transitioning from service is to pray to a higher power.
"Service was something that we get to do," McElroy said. It's not something we have to do."
And when he hears the word "service," it holds a special meaning to him.
"To me, service is...I saw it as a sacred honor," McElroy said.