To commemorate Patriot Day, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office sent a deputy to speak and give a gift to veterans currently living at Country Club Rehabilitation Campus at 478 S. Sandusky St., Delaware.
Deputy John Hicks said it was an honor to speak to the veterans at the facility on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
“It feels fantastic to be able to give thanks to people who served and risked limb and life,” Hicks said. “(Especially) on a day where the country lost so many people.”
Hicks went room to room and spoke to several veterans and thanked them for their service before giving them a small token of appreciation, which included a card, a flashlight and an American flag hat.
John Sipes, a U.S. Army veteran, thanked Hicks for coming and told him about his 12 year career in the army.
“I only earned three stripes,” Sipes laughed.
Sipes added he got offered a promotion if he re-upped, but he turned it down.
“The only thing that was bad was that you couldn’t stop in one place. You had to keep moving. You couldn’t get land or a barn.”
Sipes told Hicks that his son served 22 years in the Army and got stationed in Alaska.
“They sent him there and he liked it so much that he stayed!” Sipes said with a laugh. “They can have that!”
Amy Howerton, a licensed nursing home administrator, said she believed the visit was a great way to honor the residents who are veterans.
“I believe this is a proud moment for them to be honored for their service and everything they gave,” Howerton said. “Having Deputy Hicks here shows them they haven’t been forgotten.”
Hicks also spoke to Sandy Abels, a woman who served 23 years in the U.S. Navy. Hicks asked her questions about her time in the Navy and learned that she joined, in part, because the previous four generations of her family also served in the Navy.
Hicks spoke to several other veterans Tuesday afternoon before returning to road patrol. Hicks added he enjoyed his experience.
“It’s great to be doing this,” he said. “It’s really nice they chose me to come out here and do t
his.”
