On Saturday, Nov. 11, Penick Village held its annual Veterans Day breakfast. There were approximately 58 veterans and guests in attendance.

Robert Stemler, a United States Navy veteran and Penick Village resident, was master of ceremonies.

The guest speaker was the Rev. Michael Garber. He served as the pastor for the Congregational Church on Bennett Street in Southern Pines for 27 years and is now retired.

A meal was served by Mike McKay and Penick Village's Dining Services staff. Following the meal Garber gave an inspirational speech titled "I am the Flag." He has been giving this speech for the past 40 years.

In his speech, Garber took on the persona of the American flag and began describing what the flag has witnessed throughout history. He identified all periods of American history from the revolution through the Iraq War. He mentioned such leaders as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Jefferson Davis, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy. He identified the flag with the D-Day Invasion at Normandy and Omaha Beach, the Sands of Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Korea, and Desert Storm.

Veterans were given the opportunity to tell about their experiences in the military. One man told about piloting the landing crafts to take troops to the shores; another told his story about developing misinformation to persuade Hitler that the D-Day invasion would be Calais and not Normandy.

In attendance was a son-in-law of one of the residents. As a vet he had flown rescue helicopters in wartime and for the Coast Guard in Alaska.

"In all it was a great time of sharing, remembering, and most of all honoring those who have served in American forces," says a spokesman.