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Staff Sgt. Joshua Waddell on why Veterans Day 'is so special'
It was an emotional day for some. For others, pride and joy could be seen on their faces as members of the Rappahannock community honored loved ones on Tuesday at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Rappahannock County High School.
Some 500 persons attended the event, sponsored by the Rappahannock County Band Boosters, including 75 veterans and their families
American flags encircled the driveway in front of the school. They were purchased by teachers, students and county residents in memory of men and women who served or are serving in the armed forces.
Staff Sgt. Josh Waddell, 29, who was introduced as guest speaker by his mother, Patti Waddell, an RCHS teacher, shared a pictorial and descriptive account of his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq where he served as an infantry medic. He is a 1998 RCHS graduate.
In his speech, Waddell said that when he was in school 11 years ago, he didn't think a lot about Veterans Day.
“It has taken 11 years and two combat tours to realize why this day is so special,” he said.
“In those 11 years, I stopped taking things for granted and realized what had to be accomplished for us to have the freedom to do what we want to do.”
While deployed as a combat medic from July 2004 to July 2005 in Afghanistan, he said, his mission included attempting to locate and eliminate Al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents and provide humanitarian aide to the Afghan nationals.
He said they delivered supplies to orphanages “which included 30 boxes of shoes donated by the students of this school and Rappahannock County Elementary School.”
Waddell urged the students to serve their country either in the service or through volunteering in the community.
“I want to leave you with one important thought,” he said. “Don't take each day and what it promises for granted. Realize that someone had to sacrifice something for you to have your freedom – many times that someone is a veteran.”
While deployed in Afghanistan, Waddell earned several medals including a
Commendation for Valor for providing treatment to an 18 month old child.
Waddell was most recently deployed in Iraq from September 2007 to May 2008 where he served as a Calvary Medic. While there, he earned another Army Commendation for Valor as well as his Calvary Gold Spurs.
Waddell currently resides in Sperryville with his wife, Heather. They have two sons, Josh Jr., 22 months old, and Hayden, 5 months old.
An active member of the Sperryville Volunteer Rescue Squad for 12 years, and a member of the Sperryville Fire Department for three years,
Waddell is employed as a paramedic at Valley Medical Transport.
After the moving ceremony, there was a moment of silence, then members of Boy Scout Troop 36 retired the colors and AJ Collins gave the final remarks.
The music selections were by the Rappahannock County High School Concert Band under the direction of David DeBoer.
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