Veterans Memorial Park in Tuscaloosa filled with families, veterans and community leaders Wednesday morning for the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. The gathering took place on the historic grounds where the chapel of Northington General Hospital—once one of the world’s largest military hospitals—stood during World II.
Local leaders lead the tribute
Brian Butler, chairman of the Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park Association, served as emcee. Chaplain Jacqueline Long, acting chief of chaplain services at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, offered the invocation. The University of Alabama Army ROTC Color Guard presented the colors, Yvonne Wells led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Stephens family sang the national anthem.
Remembering the past, honoring the present
Shalonda Clark, interim associate director of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, reminded attendees that the park’s site once housed a chapel for soldiers and their families. “During World II, a chapel stood right here. It was part of Northington General Hospital, one of the largest military hospitals in the world. Soldiers came here to heal. Families came here to pray,” Clark said. She added that many of those men went on to help build the Tuscaloosa we know today.
Clark urged veterans to claim the care they earned, noting, “The care you earned is not charity. You earned it. And it’s an honor to serve you.”
Guest of honor stresses every role in the military
Maj. Gen. Charles H. Gailes Jr., U.S. Army (retired) and a Tuscaloosa native, was the event’s guest of honor. Gailes, who commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1984 and led a brigade‑size task force after Hurricane Katrina, asked everyone who had served to raise a hand, then invited their families to do the same.
“I want you to take a moment to look around and see how many people in this county have served and who continue to serve our great nation,” he said.
Gailes highlighted the importance of the often‑overlooked “tail” jobs that keep the military functioning. Using the analogy of a viper’s “tooth‑to‑tail” ratio, he explained that mechanics, cooks, doctors, police and logistics experts are as vital as front‑line fighters. “You’ve got a lot more tail than you have tooth, but if you forget the tail, you can’t use the tooth,” he warned.
Veterans’ needs and VA dedication
The retired general spent the latter half of his remarks on the ongoing needs of veterans—health care, housing and community connection. He defended the VA, acknowledging criticism but emphasizing the dedication of its staff. “They get a lot of heat, but I will tell you there are hardworking employees doing their best every day to serve our veterans,” Gailes affirmed.
He encouraged everyone in the audience to check on a veteran, whether by reaching out to an old “battle buddy” or supporting a civilian loved one who served.
Continuing the tradition
The ceremony reinforced Tuscaloosa’s commitment to honoring its service members and preserving the memory of the historic hospital chapel. As the city gathers each Veterans Day, the event serves as a reminder that the sacrifices of the past continue to shape the community’s present and future.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
