GALLIPOLIS — A large crowd gathered on Veterans Day in Gallia County as local veterans and residents turned out to honor one of their own Wednesday.

World War II veteran Remo J. Rocchi was the guest of honor and parade marshal for Gallia County’s annual observance. And during an emotional ceremony that followed the parade, Rocchi was awarded the seven medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Army from July 17, 1942, to January 4, 1946.

Rocchi received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Keith Jeffers, executive director of the Gallia County Veterans Service Office, said the medals were not awarded previously because Rocchi spent five months in the hospital after being badly wounded during a fire fight with German troops.

Rocchi was joined by his wife of 61 years, Helen Marie, his family and an old friend, Charles Carmichael. It was noted that Carmichael holds a special place in Rocchi’s life since he was one of two men who helped rescue Rocchi after he was wounded. The other soldier who rescued Rocchi, Daniel Bartlett, passed away earlier this year.

Col. John Jackson, a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves and former NATO chaplain, served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame on Nov. 6 of this year.

Jackson told the audience that military service represents a “godly sacrifice.”

“As our Lord and Savior said, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their fellow man,’” said Jackson, who is currently associate pastor at New Life Lutheran Church in Gallipolis. “To serve (in the military) follows all of the godly principles of the major faiths of the world and certainly of the Christian faith as we look at what Christ has done for us.”

Jackson said the current war against terrorism means that all people are now involved in conflict, not just those who put on a military uniform.

“In the past, it was only when you signed up to serve in the military, which sets us apart as putting our lives on the line,” he said. “Today, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a school teacher, whether you’re a pastor in a church, whether you’re serving on your military base, you can be shot and killed. We are in a war against terror.

“And we need to respect our men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan in every way that we can.”

Jackson went on to state that the U.S. military did not lose the war in Vietnam. He said that a peace was negotiated and that the North Vietnamese failed to live up to that agreement. Jackson also reminded the crowd that the U.S. military did not lose a battle in Vietnam.

“Our men and women in Vietnam served nobly,” Jackson said. “Tragically, they were mistreated when they returned home. Let’s not repeat that mistake. Let’s support our young men and young women as they serve in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever they serve, and as they return home.”

Jackson then went on to list the qualities of veterans, saying, “A veteran has courage, dedication, has trust, is willing to lead. And as important as it is to be willing to lead, a veteran is also willing to follow. All of those characteristics are very important.”

Jackson then challenged the audience to cultivate those qualities in their own lives.

Students from the Gallia County Local and Gallipolis City school districts lined the streets of downtown Gallipolis for the parade and stayed for the ceremony in the park. The Gallia Academy Madrigals performed “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Song for Unsung Heroes” and “America’s Song.”

The Gallia County Funeral Detail conducted a gun salute and veteran Henry Myers performed “Taps” to close out the ceremony.