In honor of Veterans Day, dozens of veterans and supportive organizations gathered to march down Pioneer Avenue to the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center for a ceremony in recognition of all the veterans who have served in the armed forces. The parade featured numerous veterans and supporters waving flags and tossing candy to the community members who lined the sidewalks.
Once the parade arrived at the visitor center, members of the American Legion Post 16 took turns addressing the crowd to recognize the meaning of Veterans Day.
“On this day, Veterans Day, we are commemorating the service of veterans of all wars,” Eileen Faulkner, commander of the American Legion Post 16, read during the service. “We remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation’s cause, defending the freedom of man kind and preserving our precious American heritage.”
“We recognize service to our country, and her cause does not end with the termination of military service,” Faulkner continued. “We continue our endeavors on behalf of an honorable world peace, with a feeling of profound gratitude to God and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes.”
Before the ceremony concluded, Eric Henley placed the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross, Christie Hill played “Taps” and a modified 21-gun salute rang through the air.
A Quilts of Valor service was held later Thursday afternoon in recognition of recipients Gary Squires and Leroy Keene.
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Reach Sarah Knapp at sarah.knapp@homernews.com.
The American Legion Post 16 placed a memorial wreath on the General Buckner Veterans Memorial at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center during the Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
The color guard leads the Veterans Day parade with flags representing each branch of the military, the United States and supportive veterans groups. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
The color guard lowers the flags in honor of the veterans who have passed as Christie Hill plays “Taps” during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Eric Henley salutes the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center on Thursday, Nov. 11. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Eileen Faulkner, commander of the American Legion Post 16, addresses the crowd gather for Veterans Day and memorializes the sacrifice and service of all veterans. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Quilts of Valor recipients Gary Squires (left) and Leroy Keene (right) are pictured after being covered in their quilts along with their family. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
