By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Steven Russell’s message on Saturday was biographical, inspirational and evangelical. But above all it served as a call to serve the country he still obviously loves.
Russell was the keynote speaker for a Veterans’ Weekend celebration sponsored and organized by The First Chritian and Missionary Alliance Church of Bucyrus and area churches that included a free breakfast for the community at Bucyrus Elementary School.
Russell opened his remarks by saying that if there should be more communities like Bucyrus. Russell shared briefly about his upbringing in Oklahoma and how he became a born-again Christian. But much of the focus of his message was the true-life story of his involvement in the chase and capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and others in the dictator’s inner circle, especially those charged with his security.
Russell’s presentation included several photographs of members of that inner circle, personal photos held by Saddam’s family that were captured as well as those of the actual hole and tunnel Saddam was taken from.
Russell took that story a step further and challenged those in attendance, including U.S. Armed Services veterans, to continue to serve the nation in maintaining its core values and principles in spite of the critics and cynics.
Following an evangelical invitation, Russell signed copies of his book, “We Got Him: A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein”.
Prior to Russell speaking and again afterwards local acapella men’s chorale United In Harmony sang including The National Anthem and the song of each branch of the Armed Services to honor local veterans in attendance. City officials in attendance included Mayor Roger Moore, Law Director Rob Ratliff, Police Chief Dave Koepke and Fire Chief Jay Keller.
An obstacle course for youth was also set up on stage.