The courage and sacrifice of one World War II Navy officer served as the focus of Marion’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Many gathered in Sippican School Wednesday morning to honor veterans during the annual event, sponsored by the Benjamin D. Cushing Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2425.

The event featured remarks from Selectman Jon Henry, Pastor Gary Taylor and post member Joe Napoli, who was the master of ceremonies. The Sippican Band played a selection of patriotic tunes.

Keynote speaker James Holmes recounted the actions of Earnest Evans.

Holmes is a professor for strategy and policy at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. An accomplished former Navy warfare officer, Holmes has published 150 scholarly essays, along with hundreds of columns and think-tank analyses.

Holmes is also a senior fellow at the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs.

Holmes said Evans served as commander of the USS Johnston during the Battle off Samar in the Philippine Sea. The battle was part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history.

Massively outgunned and outnumbered by the Japanese fleet, Holmes said Evans was a fearless commander during the fight.

“Evans took on a crushingly superior force and won,” Holmes said. “He was decisive, he had swagger and inspired his men to do their duty.”

Evans did not survive the battle. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

“Can we live up to the standards set by Earnest Evans?” Holmes asked. “I believe so.”

At the start of the ceremony, Napoli extended thanks for all who served.

“There is a myth out there that if you’re not a combat veteran then you’re not a veteran,” Napoli said. “If you donned the uniform for the United States of America then you are a veteran.”

Napoli also recalled something a soldier once told him.

“He said, ‘Freedom has a different flavor for those who fought for it.’ That always stuck with me.”

Taylor ended the ceremony by having veterans in the audience stand and be recognized and offered a benediction.