The crowd assembled near the final resting place of General James A. Beaver to pay tribute to the nearly 800 veterans buried at the cemetery, whose service spans every major American conflict except the Mexican-American War.

The service opened with performances of “America the Beautiful” and the national anthem by members of the Penn State Blue Band, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Dr. Renee Ford, pastor of Grays United Methodist Church in Port Matilda.

“On this Veterans Day, Lord, we gather in gratitude and thank you for the men and women who served our nation with courage, honor and sacrifice,” said Pastor Ford, asking God to protect those currently serving and those recovering from service. “I would ask that your spirit rest upon us as we remember and give thanks, not just in our words, but in how we live, interact with one another and how we build peace, bear hope and defend the dignity of this nation.”

Following the invocation, State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, whose district includes the cemetery, spoke about the importance of honoring veterans.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Bagpipers play “Amazing Grace” at the conclusion of the Veterans Dat Service. crowd.

“It is a duty to be here today,” Benninghoff said. “As folks who served their duty provide us our liberty.”

He urged attendees to remember that only a small percentage of people serve in the military — on average 1 to 4 percent of the country’s population at any given time– and that the rest of society benefits from their service.

“I ask one thing. Don’t make this a one-hour ceremony,” he said. “Veterans Day will traditionally be on 11/11, and we celebrate today, but I want to celebrate tomorrow and all the other 363 days of the year by honoring our military.”

At the ceremony, Benninghoff also presented the cemetery with new flags for its flagpoles, which had previously flown over the state Capitol in Harrisburg.

Speaking after the state rep, Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem urged attendees not to overlook the common soldiers resting among Union Cemetery’s generals and beside Medal of Honor recipient, Joseph Foster Sayers, Sr.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Mike Connelly, of the Nittany Valley Leathernecks, speaks to the assembled crowd.

“We’re here to celebrate everyone who served in our U.S. armed forces,” Dershem said. “When I was thinking about this service, I was thinking about the notable people that are buried in this cemetery. But, if you get past the George Harrises and James Beavers and all those folks, there are 800 other folks here that are here that really are who we need to remember.”

“Those are the folks that were pulled away from their daily lives,” said Dershem. “Whether they were volun-told or volunteered, they came to serve the United States of America.”

Afterward, veteran Mike Connelly, of the Nittany Leathernecks, took the podium.

“Veterans Day is the time when our entire nation pauses to say two simple words: thank you,” said Connelly. “Thank you to those who raised their right hand, put on the uniform and chose a life of service to something greater than themselves.”

He said veterans represent all walks of life and noted many find ways to continue serving beyond their military careers.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Members of the Milesburg American Legion Post 893 Honor Guard are pictured while waiting to perform the three-volley salute.

“They continue to serve — not because they have to — but because it’s who they are,” said Connelly. “That’s what Veterans Day is all about — recognizing that service is not a chapter in someone’s life story — it’s a lifelong commitment.”

Connelly said veterans remind us that freedom is not guaranteed, but earned, and must be protected and renewed through sacrifice and service.

“As we look around today, we see the benefits of their dedication in the safety of our neighborhoods, the opportunities we enjoy and the peace that allows our children to dream,” he said. “Our gratitude must be more than words. It must be action.”

Finally, Doug Dreese, a Navy veteran, offered a brief history of Veterans Day and recognized those in attendance who have served. He encouraged veterans to speak with young people, inspiring them to volunteer and continue the mission of protecting the country.

“For everyone in the audience, my ask is for you to continue to show our support for veterans in our community,” Dreese said. “We’re fortunate to live in a time where military service is honored, but we need to keep that the norm. Continue to support veteran appreciation events in the community, just like today, and continue to demonstrate to our youth in the community that military service is still valued.”

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Members of the Penn State University Blue Band performed “Taps” at the ceremony.

He concluded with a quote commonly attributed to President Abraham Lincoln.

“A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure,” Dreese said, before concluding by saying:

“Veterans Day isn’t just about veterans. It’s a day for all Americans — a day to remember why they volunteered to take up arms and a day to remember our collective duty to protect our freedom and the freedom of future generations.”

After the final speaker, a wreath was laid on the grave of General James A. Beaver, the former governor of Pennsylvania, followed by a three-volley salute from the local honor guard and the playing of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.

The service closed with a prayer led by Pastor Andy Morgan, of Bellefonte Faith Church.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Attendees of Sunday’s Veterans Day Service at Union Cemetery in Bellefonte can be seen watching the layng of a wreath on the tomb of General James A. Beaver.