A huge American flag, suspended between the aerial trucks of the Bryan and Montpelier Fire Departments and illuminated by the same, flew over the east entrance road to the Williams County Fairgrounds in the predawn hours of April 21. Just to the east, the parking lot of the Williams County Veterans Memorial Building was abuzz with activity as the cold and blustery dawn approached. The activity surrounded a group of veterans and their families that were about to board what was to become the first Williams County Honor Bus, with a destination of Washington D.C.
The Montpelier High School Jazz Band played ‘God Bless America’, after which Montpelier Mayor Steve Yagelski presented the reading of an official proclamation naming the day, ‘First Honor Bus Day’. Veterans and their accompanying families then boarded the bus for the trip eastward. Montpelier Chief of Police Dan McGee, and Williams County Sheriff Steve Towns, in full dress uniforms, provided escort for the bus as it departed the fairgrounds.
The honorees are scheduled to visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials while in the nation’s capitol. On the way back to Williams County, they are also scheduled to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial between Shanksville and Stoytown, Pennsylvania.