11/05/2008 Veterans Day observance to include local soldier The observance of Veterans Day allows every American citizen an opportunity to pay tribute and to honor the bravery and sacrifice of all veterans of United States armed forces who throughout the years have served their country. This day is a time for all Americans to pause and reflect on the courage and valor these outstanding men and women have displayed in the past and continue to display today. It is also a time for every citizen, young and old to absorb and understand what it means "to be a good American." On Tuesday, November 11 a Veterans Day observance will be held at 10 a.m. at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, MD. This year one of the honored guests at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial ceremony will be Captain Thomas Clay Groton, IV, U.S. Army. Captain Groton, a Snow Hill resident has served a 15 month deployment in Baghdad, beginning March 9, 2007 as a part of the "surge" operation. He recently returned stateside. Captain Groton grew up in Snow Hill and graduated from the Salisbury Christian School where he was the Salutatorian for the Class of 2001. He went on to attend and graduate in 2005 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he was rated #1 Army Cadet from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. After his discharge next year Captain Groton plans to attend law school. In discussing Veterans Day and its meaning Mrs. Groton comments that when her son Clay was only five years old he constantly spoke of wanting to grow up "to be a soldier." According to his mother, Clay's sense of patriotism and duty to his country has been firm and strong since early childhood. Through Clay's inspiration, Mrs. Groton has spoken to her second grade class about what it means "to be a good American." Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day was originally legislated as a legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which took place on November 11, 1918. The observance honored all World War I veterans. However, in 1954 after our country's involvement in World War II and the Korean War the 83rd U.S. Congress, urged by veteran's service organizations amended the previous legislation by striking the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." In 1968 the Uniform Holiday Bill ensured three day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays (Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day). Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and celebrated the holiday on its original date. In 1975 President Gerald Ford signed a bill returning the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning with the year 1978. The observance of Veterans Day allows every American citizen an opportunity to pay tribute and to honor the bravery and sacrifice of all veterans of United States armed forces who throughout the years have served their country. This day is a time for all Americans to pause and reflect on the courage and valor these outstanding men and women have displayed in the past and continue to display today. It is also a time for every citizen, young and old to absorb and understand what it means "to be a good American." On Tuesday, November 11 a Veterans Day observance will be held at 10 a.m. at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, MD.
By Betty Cianci
Captain Thomas Clay Groton, IV
Prior to his Iraq duty Captain Groton served assignments at Fort Carson, CO; Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Knox, KY and Fort Benning, GA. He was as a Tank Commander and Platoon Leader while in Baghdad. Currently he is Company Executive Officer at Fort Benning, GA. Captain Groton will be leaving active duty in May 2009.
Captain Groton's parents live in Snow Hill. His father, Honorable Thomas C. Groton, III is a Judge in the Circuit Court for Worcester County and his mother, Althea Groton teaches second grade at Showell Elementary School. His younger brother Tyler will graduate in December from Towson University as a Theatre Major. Also deserving mention is another important family member, "Sadie Baby," the family's black lab.
Mrs. Groton also mentions how thankful they have been as a family for all the support received from Worcester County during Clay's deployment. She went on to say that all the prayers, love and concern for their son's wellbeing and his safe return home has sustained and enriched their lives.
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11/5/2008
