From those on the front lines to others who serve in supporting roles, Americans who serve in the various roles of American armed forces are “essential veterans.”

Col. Tom Johnson (U.S. Marine Corps, ret.) offered his thoughts to dozens of veterans and a crowd of appreciative community members who braved brisk but clear weather for a special Veterans Day Ceremony Friday morning at the Sequim Civic Center plaza.

Johnson urged veterans of all branches to be proud of their service — and to make sure future generations understand their legacies.

“No matter what part a veteran plays … it needs to be remembered on this Veterans Day,” Johnson said, urging those in attendance to thank those veterans for their service.

“I feel a lot of those essential veterans are not properly recognized. If you are a veteran … be proud of your contribution; you are a part of history. And your part will be lost unless you write it down.”

Johnson, a Sequim resident, who joined the Marine Corps at age 19, earned his wings in June 1955, flew a record 506 close-air support missions, spent years training pilots with various aircraft and worked at the Pentagon before retiring, noted Lance Cpl. Holly Rowan (U.S. Marine Corps), Clallam County Veterans Association president, at Friday’s ceremony.

He lauded the personal stories of Medal of Honor winners who called the Olympic Peninsula home: Civil War veterans Francis Bishop and Thaddeus S. Smith, World War II veteran Richard B. Anderson, and Vietnam War veteran Marvin G. Shields.

Johnson further urged the veterans on hand Friday to pass on their stories to others.

“Maybe your bio will influence or incite someone unbeknownst to you to do something they would never do otherwise,” he said. “Who knows? Everyone has an interesting story to tell. I’ve heard a lot of those interesting stories. I think most of them were true.”

The event was jointly hosted by the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and Clallam County Veterans Association, to mirror the National Observance of Veterans Day in honoring and thanking all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

The event included a rendition of the National Anthem from Amanda Bacon, presentation of the flags of the veterans organizations in Clallam County, and rendering of honors by the Marine Corps League.

“Service to one’s country is a noble undertaking, embodying the greatest of values: a willingness to put one’s self in harm’s way for love of country,” said Tom Coonelly (U.S. Army, ret.), who helped organize the event.

“It entails personal sacrifice and risk. Because of our veterans we live in freedom, prosperity and safety. The millions of men and women who made the decision to serve are truly deserving of our heartfelt thanks and enduring respect.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Members of the Mount Olympus Detachment 897 of the Marine Corps League offer a gun salute at Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony in Sequim, hosted by the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and Clallam County Veterans Association.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / With Tom Coonelly (U.S. Army, ret.) looking on Amanda Bacon sings the National Anthem at Friday morning’s Veterans Day Ceremony, held at the Sequim Civic Center plaza near downtown Sequim.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / With chaplain Cpt. Mike Hakanson (U.S. Navy, ret.), left, and Tom Coonelly (U.S. Army, ret.) looking on, Amanda Bacon sings the National Anthem at Friday morning’s Veterans Day Ceremony, held at the Sequim Civic Center plaza near downtown Sequim.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Col. Tom Johnson (U.S. Marine Corps, ret.) of Sequim speaks to a Veterans Day Ceremony audience at the Sequim Civic Center plaza on Nov. 11.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Col. Tom Johnson (U.S. Marine Corps, ret.) of Sequim speaks to a Veterans Day Ceremony audience at the Sequim Civic Center plaza on Nov. 11.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Event organizer Tom Coonelly (U.S. Army, ret.) speaks at Friday morning’s Veterans Day Ceremony, held at the Sequim Civic Center plaza.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Event organizer Tom Coonelly (U.S. Army, ret.) speaks at Friday morning’s Veterans Day Ceremony, held at the Sequim Civic Center plaza.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / American Legion riders honor veterans at a special Veterans Day Ceremony at the Sequim Civic Center plaza on Nov. 11.