MOULTRIE — A retired Army Reservist said although veterans are a small population in America, they play a huge role in the country. He spoke to veterans and Moultrie Technical College faculty and staff at the college’s annual Veterans Day celebration Wednesday.

Scott Hardwick, a retired sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserve, said the holiday was a chance to celebrate veterans’ choice to defend America’s freedom. Veterans are the people who will sacrifice and set their lives aside to answer the call of duty, he said.

While only 1 percent of America’s population are veterans, Hardwick said they have a tremendous impact that is felt by everyone. He thanked those in attendance and the 23.5 million veterans nationwide who, like him for 41 years, did so much to ensure freedom for Americans.

“Your contributions can never be measured,” Hardwick said, “but rest assured American democracy would not survive without them.”

Hardwick said Veterans Day started as Armistice Day in 1918 but became a federal holiday in 1954 to remember all those who have served in the U.S. military. Veterans are the defenders of the homeland and deserve everyone’s thanks for all they have done, he said. He also thanked the families of veterans for all they do at home.

Prior to the end of his speech, Hardwick gave a prayer of thanks for veterans and prayers of healing for those wounded in combat.

Hardwick was born and raised in Abbeville, Ala., and now lives in Largo, Fla. He retired from Civil Service in July of 2008 after 35 years of service and from the Army Reserve in May of 2009, after serving for 41 years.

Hardwick’s assignments included the 641st Regional Support Group in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the 535th Military Police Battalion in Raleigh, N.C.; the 160th Military Police Battalion in Tallahassee, Fla.; the 351st AG Company (Postal) in Tallahassee, Fla.; the 842nd Signal Company in Pensacola, Fla.; the 2nd Battalion 69th Armor Battalion at Ft. Benning; and the 851st Field Service Company in Abbeville, Ala. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

To honor the veterans, past and present, in attendance, all veterans were given a cup with treats as they came into the auditorium. A slide show of photos of veterans was shown throughout the event in celebration of Moultrie Tech’s veterans.