Remembering those who gave all

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

The atmosphere in the San Moritz Lodge was solemn and respectful as a large crowd gathered for the annual Memorial Day observance.

“We are here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could picnic and do what we choose,” said the Rev. Dr. Bill Mellinger, the emcee for the event.

Following an invocation given by Judy Romero, a U.S. Air Force veteran, several members of American Legion Post 360 posted the colors and then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. That was followed by the singing of the national anthem, under the direction of Dr. Mellinger.

Craig Swanson of American Legion Post 360 narrated the meaning of the 13 folds of the American flag as Commander Nicholas Nerio and members Lou Novins and Gary Batten carefully created each fold.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Earl Eide detailed the significance of each item on the POW/MIA table. Several guests commented they had not heard this before and were moved by the explanation.

Joe Aquino, commander of VFW Post 9624, was the keynote speaker. He noted that he had been drafted as a young man and “was ready to serve,” which he did in Vietnam. He shared a poem he wrote when it was time for him to come home. In it he wrote, “You served dinner, we served our country.” He concluded his remarks by saying, “God bless America.”

As the theme song for each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces was played, veterans of those branches stood and were recognized with applause as everyone sang the songs. At the conclusion of the songs, Dr. Mellinger asked family members of those who did not return to stand.

Dr. Ginger Gabriel, the local coordinator of Quilts of Valor, gave a brief history of the quilts. She noted that 14 years ago the first such quilt was presented here on the mountain. Nationally 380,000 Quilts of Valor have been presented to veterans. Locally, more than 180 have been wrapped around veterans in a quilt hug as a thank you for their service.

Each quilt, Dr. Gabriel explained, takes 40 to 50 hours to complete with about $400 worth of red, white and blue materials.

This year she presented four quilts:

• Richard Armijo joined the U.S. Navy after 9/11.

• Dave Hansen, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who wanted to say “Welcome home” to his fellow Vietnam veterans.

• Linda Bourgeois, a U.S. Air Force veteran who is one of the quilters who creates the Quilts of Valor.

• Mark Schuljak, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

At the request of Penny Shubnell, a video was shown of the guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

The event concluded with the playing of taps by Lou Novins, a benediction given by Linda Bourgeois and the retiring of the colors by members of American Legion Post 360.