Letter: Veterans Day Celebration

Editor, The Friday Flyer:

The 8th annual Veterans Day celebration was beautiful, inspiring and deeply moving.  The Elsinore High School Jr. ROTC did an outstanding job with the posting of the colors, the flag ceremony honoring Purple Heart veteran Al Moreno and laying of the wreath.

The Pledge of Allegiance took on greater meaning when Brenda Adams reflected on her family’s military service. Pastor Chris Suitt, in his Invocation, pleaded for more help for wounded veterans and those in need of assistance.

Rachel Bollinger, USAF, made no mistake in her description of what it takes to succeed in the military or anywhere: work harder than anyone else, be positive and be ready to learn as much as we can.

Jill Batinich did a wonderful job with her tribute to women in the military dating back to the Civil War. Master of Ceremonies Chuck Casey kept the program flowing expertly.

Karen Bevans has made it her mission to keep track of fallen heroes each year.  Their family members placed roses in the urns at the memorial in recognition of their service. Debby Gagnon originated the idea of a Field of Honor in the park surrounding the monument so that residents could honor their loved ones by purchasing a flag.

The Choraleers sang the Salute to the Patriots and God Bless America. Their president, Larry Garland, sang the National Anthem.

Kathy Barbay, of the Quilters Dozen, supplied two gorgeous quilts that were raffled off to veterans and won by one male and one female veteran.

Canyon Lakers salute the Veterans Day Committee, chaired by council woman Vicki Warren, for a Veterans Day celebration that strikes just the right chords: reverence, patriotism, dignity, and small town atmosphere.  It is the least we can do to salute our veterans and active duty servicemen and women.

Nancy Horton