Los Alamos Firefighters raise the American flag at the Veterans Day celebration hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Girl Scouts of America and Boy Scouts of America lead the crowd gathered at Ashley Pond Saturday in the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
From left, VFW Commander Roger Anaya, Col. Mark Miera, Lt. Col. Pia Romero, Fr. Glenn Jones, Master of Ceremony Corina Gonzales, County Councilor Chris Chandler and Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard participate in the Veterans Day event. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Patriotism filled the air as the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted the 2017 Veterans Day celebration Saturday at Ashley Pond Park.
Community members heard talks swelled with national pride on duty, honor and sacrifice from Master of Ceremony Corina Gonzales, Major Ret., Col. Mark Miera and keynote speaker Lt. Col. Pia Romero.
“Our veterans sacrifice many of their basic freedoms so that the people of the United States can live in peace and know that the sheepdogs are watching the flocks … and will move to the sound of the wolves, Miera said. “These soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are the insurance policy that has been called upon many times in our past, and very likely many more times in our future, because we never know when nor where the wolf will appear.”
Miera recognized all the veterans in the crowd from WWII on and paid special tribute to those who fought in Viet Nam and did not receive the hero’s welcome he said they deserved upon their return home.
In his introduction of guest speaker Romero, Miera said she is a longtime LANL employee and one of the few battalion commanders in the New Mexico Army National Guard. Romero served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and received several medals for her efforts.
“As we honor all men and women who served in all American wars, conflicts and in peacetime, reflect on the fact we have many heroes among us who deserve our gratitude,” Romero said. “For all our veterans, fallen and still among us, it is an honor to serve with you.”
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard read a State Proclamation at Saturday’s event and County Councilor Chris Chandler read a County Proclamation.
Fr. Glenn Jones of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, who is a former captain in the United States Marine Corps, delivered the Invocation and Benediction.
Alicia Solomon sang America the Beautiful, the National Anthem and Amazing Grace. The Girl Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the Los Alamos High School NJROTC performed the opening salute, march of the colors and the three-volley salute.
The Los Alamos Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, NM Wing conducted a Fly-Over. John Fox of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 90 performed Taps.
Los Alamos Firefighters raised and lowered the American flag at the Veterans Day celebration. Following the ceremony, many in attendance joined VFW members for lunch at the VFW Post on Deacon Street.
Scene from the Veterans Day celebration hosted by the VFW Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
VFW Commander Roger Anaya welcomes community members to the 2017 Veterans Day event Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Members of the Los Alamos High School NJROTC participate in the event. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard delivers the State Proclamation. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler delivers the County Proclamation. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Constituent Services Representative Bobbie Ferrell shares prepared remarks from U.S. Sen. Tom Udall. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Congressional Staffer Clifford Rees shares prepared remarks from U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the Veterans Day celebration hosted by the VFW Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Col. Mark Miera shares a patriotic message and introduces guest speaker Lt. Col. Pia Romero. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Guest speaker Lt. Col. Pia Romero. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Fr. Glenn Jones of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and a former captain in the United States Marine Corps, delivers the Invocation and Benediction for the Veterans Day celebration Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the Veterans Day celebration Saturday at Ashley Pond. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
American Legion Randi Moore, left, assists Marie Todd with her gloves. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Commander LTC Gregg Giesler of the Military Order of World Wars. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
NJROTC members prepare to perform a three-volley salute. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
NJROTC members perform a three-volley salute. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the event. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Fly-Over conducted by the Los Alamos Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, NM Wing. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Firefighters lower the American flag at the Veterans Day celebration hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Saturday at Ashley Pond. Following the ceremony, many in attendance joined VFW members for lunch at the VFW Post on Deacon Street. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
