In front of a standing-room-only audience, Lenoir American Legion Post 29 honored members of the armed forces Wednesday during its Veterans Day ceremony at the Legion Hall.

Despite inclement weather that delayed the dedication of the redesigned Veterans Plaza in downtown Lenoir, scores of veterans and their family members braved the rain and the wind to make their way inside the building. Lenoir Mayor David Barlow addressed the crowd and said the dedication of the plaza has been moved to Memorial Day in May.

"We are really proud of the way it is going to look," Barlow said. "I think you will be pleased when you see it."

Originally known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, President Dwight Eisenhower - who directed the liberation of Europe in World War II - and Congress authorized the change to Veterans Day in 1954.

"We fought with our minds, our hearts, our bodies," Post 29 Vice Commander and retired U.S. Marine Wayne Mihelich said. "We must remember our veterans who gave their all on foreign soil and at home in the service of our nation."

The ceremony also included the placement of the POW/MIA flag, along with the dirgeful sounds of "Amazing Grace" as played on the bagpipes by Chris Bradshaw.

As its featured speaker, SFC Eli Monroe, a member of the U.S. Army's Special Forces (also known as Green Berets), relayed his experiences from tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"(Afghanistan) was a culture shock," Monroe said. "It was depressing. It was deplorable how people were treated there."

Positioned in Asadabad along the border with Pakistan in the northeast corner of the country, Monroe said developing loyalty with the domestic security forces was important.

He contrasted his rural, mountainous outpost in Afghanistan with the urban center of Baghdad, Iraq. He said families who had been rescued from insurgent or al-Qaida infiltration thanked the service members for protecting them.

"It was extremely eerie," Monroe said in describing the Baghdad scene. "We did all of our missions at night."

Monroe, who worked with Lenoir native Master Sgt. Teddy Lanier while in Iraq, said he and fellow service members appreciated the letters of support they have received from elementary and middle school children.

In addition, Post 29 recognized attendees from past conflicts, ranging from World War II to ongoing operations in the Middle East.

Smith presented

with service medals

Lenoir veteran Carl Smith was presented with his service medals during a ceremony Tuesday at U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry's office in Hickory.

Smith received the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Midde Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button.

"I am humbled to help honor these distinguished veterans for their valiant service in our Armed Forces," McHenry said. "It is only fitting that their heroism should be recognized this week when we stop to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by all of our country's veterans."