Veterans Receive Local “Thanks”
Russ Baldwin | Nov 12, 2013 | Comments 0
Veteran’s Day was officially observed on Monday, November 11 across the country. Some local organizations in southeast Colorado took the time to offer their own thanks to our veterans in various ways.
The Lamar Elks Lodge offered a free steak dinner this past Friday evening to any member of the military, past or present, and their spouses received their meal for half price. On a special note, members of the Fort Lyons VA Homeless Rehabilitation Center in Las Animas had been invited by the Elks Lodge and about 11 veterans and three counselors were treated to the dinner that evening, as well as to a round of applause in appreciation of their service. Usually the attendance is around 70 or 80 meals, but just over 170 were served this past Friday.
The Lamar Eagles Aries Auxiliary and Senior Center hosted a free BBQ burger dinner for all area veterans and to the Eagles members in general, on Sunday afternoon, November 10. The Lamar VFW Post 3621 performed military honors with a traditional gun salute in the front parking lot of the Aerie to begin the meal at 3:30pm. Veterans enjoyed a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and dessert, all at no charge.
Members of the Lamar Fire Department were also involved in a patriotic gesture this past Saturday at the Ports to Plains Truck Plaza. Their large American Flag has not been raised for the past several days due to a snapped cable on the flagpole. The Fire Department came out that afternoon with their ladder truck to reach the top of the 60 foot tall pole to replace the cables which are controlled by an electric motor inside the pole. Owner, Jim Miller, said the fire department was able to respond to his request for assistance. Miller said his staff tries to lower the flag when winds start to pick up to over 30 to 40 mph as they will damage the 20 by 40 foot flag, valued at $600. “Sometimes we’re able to bring it in before too much damage has been done through fraying at the ends of the flag, but not always,” he remarked this past Saturday afternoon. Miller said there are some years when he has to buy three flags as replacements.
The staff at Juniper Village on South 10th Street in Lamar provided a show of support to local service people and civil employees on Monday with a gathering of area veterans who enjoyed some snacks, friendship and an opportunity to share some of their stories of their times in the military.
By Russ Baldwin
Filed Under: community • Events • Featured • Fire Department-Responders • History • Lamar • Prowers County
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