Large Eldorado crowd hears speech by Navy chaplain
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A large crop of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts swelled the crowd at the Eldorado Veterans' Day observance, held at the monument at the Old City Hall, on Friday.
The combined units of veteran's organizations stepped off from the American Legion Hall for the police-escorted march to the monument, timed to arrive at the Armistice hour.
The march perhaps was a bit slower this year as another year has been added to the age of each veteran.
Some regular participants awaited the marchers at the monument as their legs no longer will hold out for the trek up Locust Street.
Many taking part in the ceremony have participated each year for many years.
One couple, former commissioner and ex-Navy man Dwayne Glasscock and wife, Dianne, made a trip from their Florida home to participate.
Lt. Commander Chaplain David Otten was the featured speaker and his message to the attentive gathering involved the rights of the American people and the willingness of the military men and women to give up some of their rights to protect the rights of others.
He said in an informal survey he had asked if God gave us rights.
Most said yes; a few didn't believe so.
But what rights, he had asked, and those surveyed were hesitant and puzzled.
The rights of Americans are important, he emphasized, say he sees few people moving to Saudi Arabia or China or Korea.
"It is because of the rights we have in this country," Otten said. "We are thankful for … the rights."
He pointed out in order to keep secure the rights of Americans, members of the military have to sacrifice a few rights - the right to dress in the fashion the individual desires, the right to have the haircut desired and the right to eat what you want.
Those people, those serving the nation, are standing the watch, he said.
"Gentlemen and ladies, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing the watch," he said.
Of the veterans, "You will not let them be forgotten. Veterans' Day needs to continue every day of the year."