By JULIANNE HOMOKAY
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
With the Veterans Monument, Rotary’s recently unveiled peace pole and newly dedicated Land Trust donor and memorial wall, Arrowhead Ridge feels like a consecrated place. Polly Sauer’s words from the donor wall dedication (the Alpine Mountaineer dated October 30), “Today is a day of celebration, remembrance and reflection on this sacred ground” could equally apply to the ceremony honoring our veterans on their day, Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m.
The elaborate and elegant ceremony, emceed by Gloria Loring, included an opening prayer by Michael Brewer, US Marine Corps (and reporter for the Alpine Mountaineer): “All of us who were once soldiers, veterans of foreign wars, I think now we are veterans of spiritual wars.“
The body of the ceremony included a Color Guard Entrance; the Mountain Fifes and Drums corps; a Raising of Colors; the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem; Jack Tomich, US Coast Guard, as the Keynote Speaker; several other tributes and closing remarks by Loring.
The Dogwood quilters’ squadron led by Dr. Ginger Gabriel was also on hand to award several Quilts of Valor to chosen veterans, in their hopes of wrapping those who served our country in comfort and support. Recipients included Senior Master Sergeant Gary Cole, US Air Force; Major Fred Duarte, US Air Force; Chief Master Sergeant Darrell Artiaga, US Air Force; Staff Sergeant James Lacombe, US Army and Air Force Reserve; and “Navy Lifer” Paul Teaberry.
In light of what we learned from the return of soldiers from the Vietnam War, Americans on all political sides can agree that our veterans deserve honor, respect and support. Tuesday’s ceremony at Arrowhead Ridge was an eloquent and moving example of that, surely touching the hearts of over 200 participants and attendees.
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