Two former military members shared poignant remarks at Milton’s recent Veterans Breakfast – with one imploring the community to support those who served and sacrificed, while the other urged the now retirees to keep contributing at a time “America needs its veterans to lead.”

These comments came Saturday morning at City Hall during Milton’s annual event to welcome, express gratitude for, and, yes, feed people who belonged to the U.S. military. People can watch and listen to the entire ceremony via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX24RxCnW4M.

Several community members contributed to this celebration including members of Milton High’s orchestra, which played before the ceremony and the national anthem, as well as as members of Scouts BSA Troop 1459 who presented the “colors” (or U.S. and Georgia flags).  After an invocation by Bob Grimaldi, deacon at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church and a Navy veteran, Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison said the Veterans Breakfast “holds a special place in our hearts as it offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks.”

“To the veterans here this morning: Thank you,” Jamison added. “Thank you for your courage, for your service, for the countless sacrifices that you have made…. You have given so much to this country. And today, you are home.”

WOUNDED WARRIOR: ENSURE VETS GET RESPECT, CARE

Nick Satriano, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who served as the event’s MC, then commended the attendees’ commitment to service. He also referenced the 880 veterans memorial markers now in place around Crabapple and the Deerfield area – each of them remembering fallen troops with Milton connections from the Revolutionary War to much more recent conflicts. To learn more about the organization behind this effort (which includes Satriano), visit https://miltonveterans.org/.

He introduced Danielle Green – his friend and colleague, as well as a spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps injured U.S. servicemembers get on track and become a positive force in their communities. Green is a living example that this can be done, ever since a rocket-propelled grenade severed her dominant left arm in 2004 on a Baghdad, Iraq, rooftop.

Green recalled praying that day to survive, to tell her story, and have a child. The former Notre Dame basketball player – who was given the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 nationally televised ESPYs – now has a 10-year-old son and a reputation as a compelling storyteller and strong advocate for veterans.

“Veterans are worthy of our love, our support, our generosity. They have sacrificed and given their minds (and) their bodies for our freedom (serving) a purpose bigger than themselves,” Green said virtually, having recently moved to her hometown of Chicago. “We must ensure that our veterans receive the respect and care they … deserve.”

KEYNOTE TO VETS: ‘AMERICA NEEDS YOUR LEADERSHIP’

The morning’s keynote speaker was retired LtCol Jeff Davis, who graduated from Milton High School and the University of Georgia before serving 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. A naval aviator, Davis was part of several CH-53 squadrons and deployed four times – twice to Iraq and twice to eastern Asia supporting humanitarian operations – while on active duty.

On Saturday, the current Rotary Club of Alpharetta President focused on leadership. Davis talked about Steve Jobs and Apple, armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the current state of global affairs.

“Our world has only grown more dangerous,” he said.

Davis then brought it back to veterans, men and women who he had “learned valuable leadership lessons during your service.”

“America needs your leadership and skills to help us,” he added. “… So my ask of every veteran here is to think about … how we can we part of ensuring that America remains bright.”