VFW #2411 REMEMBERS FALLEN VETERANS

Description: Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. “If you want to thank a soldier, be an American worth fighting for.”

VFW #2411 REMEMBERS FALLEN VETERANS

By Kathleen Tomlin & Pam Valdez

VFW Auxiliary #2411 kicked off the Memorial Day Weekend by placing small flags on every veteran’s grave at Bent County/Las Animas Cemetery at 3pm Friday.  Over 600 flags were placed, and approximately 12 adult and youth volunteers and the members of the 4H Western Prairie 4H Group completed this activity to honor deceased veterans.   Lane Brundage and the staff at the Cemetery did an excellent job with getting everything ready, including marking the veteran’s graves.  The flags remained in place all weekend.   The Avenue of Flags at the Cemetery proudly flew all weekend over the ceremony and the beautifully decorated graves.  Many visitors commented on how beautiful the flags and the cemetery looked.  

 On Saturday, members of the VFW Auxiliary conducted a Poppy Drive at locations all over Las Animas.  Visitors and community members were very responsive with generous donations and these funds will be used to help veterans and support the VA National Home.

On Memorial Day at 7am, the VFWA Flag Committee, led by Barb Martin, divided into three teams and over 20 additional volunteers displayed 165 flags in Las Animas.  What a beautiful site!  Thanks to the Firefighters, 4-H youth and adult volunteers for doing such a fantastic job recognizing this Memorial Day, and the Bent County Sheriff’s Office for protecting our volunteers.

At 10:00 am at the Bent County/Las Animas Cemetery, Pam Valdez, Jr. Vice President of Post #2411, and Past District #6 President, led the Memorial Day Ceremony.  The VFW Post #2411 members posted the colors and those attending recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  Pastor Carlton McKay, from the local Nazarene Church opened with scripture and an invocation.  Pam Valdez offered a welcome to all attendees.  She shared the history of Memorial Day and encourages us all to get back to basics in recognizing what a great nation this is. 

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Attendees shared names of relatives and fellow soldiers that died while in service to our country.  Valdez went on to explain the Battlefield Cross which was on display at the Chapel.  The inverted rifle means the soldier was killed in action.  The helmet is placed on the butt of the rifle, and the dog tags hang from the helmet.  The boots, located on either side of the rifle, signify the march of the soldier’s last battle.  Members of the VFW Aux then read 16 famous quotes about Memorial Day. 

Valdez’s favorite quote was, “If you want to thank a soldier, be an American worth fighting for.”  They then placed a ceremonial wreath at the flag pole during a moment of silence.  Pastor McKay closed in prayer.  American Legion #6 performed a military salute followed by TAPS.  Flags were retired and the ceremony was concluded. 

 Immediately following this service, the VFW Post and Auxiliary, American Legion, and friends traveled to Fort Lyon National Cemetery for a private service due to COVID restrictions.  There were small flags on every veteran’s grave, and it was a peaceful solemn place to end services.

At 4pm, the volunteers returned to take down all the flags in the Las Animas (just before the rain started falling).  Luckily only a few of the flags had to be dried out.  We would like to thank the City of Las Animas crew (Wyatt Dowell, etc) for supporting this project, and preparing the sidewalks to receive flags.  We would also like to thank the Jonathan and Shari Fox Foundation for grant funds for this project.  We especially would like to thank all those who took time to volunteer during this weekend for the various activities to honor our fallen veterans.  Las Animas and Bent County patriotism, pride and respect for Veterans was definitely on display!

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