Col. (ret.) William L. Jackson of Brundidge challenged those who attended the Salute to Veterans at the Knox Ryal’s Pavilion in Brundidge Thursday to become united or “violate the description of the ‘United’ States of America.”

Jackson, a veteran of World War II and Korea, was the featured speaker at the Brundidge Business Association’s annual Salute to Veterans and celebration of America’s independence.

Jackson said America is getting away from God and is in need of His assistance now more than when Benjamin Franklin passionately requested prayers for God’s assistance at the Constitutional Convention in July 1787.

“Benjamin Franklin said that God governs in the affairs of men,” Jackson said. “We must also employ the assistance of heaven. E Pluribus Unum, which is on our seal, means ‘one out of many.’ No longer are we challenged with making one out of the 13 original colonies; we are challenged with making one nation out of 50 states.”

Jackson said to answer that challenge in today’s world, all Americans must stand together.

“We cannot change history,” he said. “If I could change history, Hitler would never have come to power; thousands of people would not have died in wars; Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have been killed or President John Kennedy or George Wallace. No one can change history but we can write our own history. We want to write a history of unity and purpose.”

Randy Ross, Pike County Veterans Affairs Officer, expressed appreciation to Jackson for his service and his patriotism. “Col. Jackson is a patriot in every sense of the word,” Ross said. “We must, as he said, become united if America is to remain the land of the free.”

The Benton Brothers and Company provided the entertainment for the Salute to Veterans and the audience joined in the singing of the old-time gospel songs and the music of a patriotic nation.

Ross led the procession of those who lighted candles in memory of a veteran or in honor of one’s service or one who is serving.