KDNK: Veterans of all ages, from their twenties up into their eighties, filled the youth theater for the Elks Lodge Veterans Day celebration. The evening included the presentation of the colors by the Glenwood Springs High School, J-R-O-T-C, Emile, a stand-up comedian, and more. The featured speaker for the event was Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson.
Samson: I'm thankful to live here. I'm thankful to be a United States citizen for the freedoms that I have. I'm thankful to each and every one of you that served, that were willing to do that. When I think of people who really are important in this world, there's one word that comes to my mind, and I focus on even as a young person, and that's service. And you think about the people that are in this room right now, all of them that are veterans, what do they go on to do? Some are electricians, some are plumbers, some build houses, some school teachers, but all kinds of people. But what common thread do they have? They're veterans, and they serve our country. You know, we have all kinds of people in this world that don't like the United States of America and don't like what it stands for.
We have people in the United States, sadly to say, that are like that. We have enemies that are domestic as well as foreign. You've heard those terms before, haven't you? And it's gonna be important for us, all of us, to teach the future generations. What is freedom? I heard something as a young man, I think in a high school assembly once, and he said something that had always stuck with me, and I know all of you have heard that. 'Freedom is not free. It must be.... it must be defended. It must be earned. It must be fought for it.' Thank you once again for what you've done. Our nation owes a great deal of gratitude and debt to every veteran that ever served.
KNDK: Last week, the Garfield County Board passed a resolution designating the county as a green light county, asking all residents to display green lights in their homes and businesses from November 4th to the 11th every year to honor the sacrifice and service of our county veterans. The Elks Lodge Veterans Day event in Rifle on Sunday also celebrated the 250th birthday of the US Marine Corps. Rifle Elk's Lodge exalted ruler, John Hutchinson, says that their Veterans Day event has been steadily growing every year.
Hutchinson: We have some good members that are veterans that wanted to start this up three years ago, and they started organizing this to honor the veterans in our county. And every year it's gotten bigger, and I am grateful for that.
Lemmer: Now we're also celebrating the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps. Uh, what makes the, the Marines, what sets them apart from the other branches of the military?
Hutchinson: Well, I am a Marine, and what sets us apart is our dedication, our motivation, to serve this country.
KDNK: The Rifle Elks Lodge Veterans Day celebration concluded with the performance of Amazing Grace by Army Vet Julie Ireland, followed by a benediction and the playing of Taps. Nearly 50 local businesses and organizations partnered with the Elks Lodge to put on the event, from the Youth Theater and Rifle on this Veteran's Day.
Veterans Day always falls on the 11th day of the 11th month. This day was formerly known as Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War One, the “War To End All Wars.”
