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| | | (SPECIAL/www.northfulton.com) Johns Creek City Manager and Vietnam veteran John Kachmar, left, and Special Projects Coordinator and former Marine Grant Hickey raise the U.S. Marine Corps flag Nov. 10. (click for larger version) | |
November 21, 2007
Veteran's Day may seem for some like an excuse to take the day off, but not in Johns Creek - commemorating the day meant so much more to several veterans working for the city.
"We thought it was just going to be a flag-raising, something just for staff," said Rosemary Taylor, communications manager for the city of Johns Creek. "It turned into this thing that made people stop and think."
City staff was invited Nov. 9 to attend the city's first official flag-raising on the custom-made 30-foot poles created specifically for the new city hall. Nearly 100 employees gathered around the poles that fly the U.S. flag, the state flag and the city flag.
But instead of hoisting the state flag, City Manager and former Marine John Kachmar raised the U.S. Marine flag in honor of the Corps' 232nd birthday. The flag flew for several days to pay tribute to all men and women who have served their country in the Marines.
"We had been waiting for Veteran's Day to raise the flags because it seemed to fit," Taylor said.
As the U.S. National Anthem was played on the trumpet by Wayne Carrel, a solemn air of respect and admiration fell upon the men and women gathered outside of city hall, according to Taylor.
Kachmar spoke of the meaning behind Veterans Day and why it should be observed year after year. As almost an afterthought, he asked the staff to raise their hands if they had served in any branch of the military. One by one, 13 hands were raised and a new esteem for their co-workers was invoked throughout the staff, said Taylor.
"Here are people you thought you knew, and this was something you didn't know about them – this was something they had done for their country," she said.
The realization was sobering.
Each veteran told of when he served, until 33 years of American history was spanned – from the Vietnam War to post-9/11 service at Ground Zero had been covered by the men now working for the city of Johns Creek, according to Taylor.
"It turned out to be something really unexpected and special," she said, noting the staff's solemn walk back to the building after the event. "I think that's why it touched everyone so much."
- www.northfulton.com
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