Veterans march through the rain

The rain did not stop the committed members of local veterans organizations from marching through Homer to honor veterans.

The Veterans Day parade started on Pioneer Avenue and Lake Street on the morning of Friday, Nov. 11, and consisted of veterans and supportants alike. While the weather conditions were not ideal, it allowed the participants to showcase their enduring resilience that they have carried for so long.

With a caboose of fire engines and police officers, the parade turned down Main Street and onto Sterling Highway before finishing their march at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

At the visitor center, also known as Islands & Ocean, people listened as uniform-clad veterans gave speeches honoring the sacrifices of war-time soldiers.

One veteran, clothed in a camoflauge uniform, spoke about the lasting impacts of soldier sacrifice.

“It is the soldier who gives the protester the right to burn the flag,” he said. “It is the soldier who gives the clergy freedom of religion.”

As he spoke, other veterans stood bearing United States, “POW MIA” and American Legion club flags alongside him.

After the speeches a line of veterans ceremoniously fired off their rifles into the air, as another veteran placed a helmet atop the butt of another rifle which had been placed into the ground.

Following this, many in the crowd raised their arms in salute as a veteran played “Taps” to honor the many sacrifices of veterans before, after and alongside him.

The song was played under a backdrop of cloud and fog, with the group of listeners huddled close together, many there with family members.

When this had concluded, everyone was invited to attend the Homer Elk’s Lodge for free food and the bestowal of red, white, and blue Quilts of Valor to esteemed veterans by the Kachemak Bay Quilters.

Inside the lodge veterans and their families quietly chatted with one another and ate warm food, enjoying the comforts of a community which supports them.

The events honored the significance of a day which means so much to countless people across the nation.

Homer Emblem Club 350 members march down Main Street for Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, in Homer. (Photo by Charlie Menke / Homer News)

Homer veterans bear flags for Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11 at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Homer. (Photo by Charlie Menke / Homer News)