Celebrating patriotism in small town America

They gathered all across small-town America on Monday to pay homage to their fallen comrades.

Taunton is one of those places that honors the veterans who gave up their lives for their country.

They use area speakers, the local boys staters, the Taunton Senior Citizen building and they pack the place with people still wanting to hear the message of patriotism.

In Taunton, Lyon County Veteran's Service Officer Heidi Fier addressed the audience, saying, "People will gather in small towns — and big cities, to celebrate and to remember those who made this life possible."

She paused for a moment to allow current history to catch up with the past.

"On December 1941, Edgar Gross was killed on the U.S.S. Oklahoma where he and 428 others perished. Now, 77 years later, his remains were brought home with full military honors," said Fier. "Lives were changed by these heroic sacrifices," said Fier.

And she made a vow on behalf of all Veteran Service Offices. "Each county VSO is to make sure services to our veterans are fulfilled."

She told the Taunton audience, "They are the reason we go on as county VSO's. We are requried to be their for the veteran, to care for him — the ones who bore the burden."

The "Price of Freedom is high," she added.