Veterans, family members, elected officials and friends celebrated Veterans Day on Monday with music, speakers, salutes and food at the American Legion Albert J Hamilton Post 7 in Bellingham.
Post 7 Commander George Shufelt reminded the assembled crowd on the morning of Nov. 11 the purpose of the occasion, which both marks the cessation of hostilities in World War I and serves as an opportunity to honor all of the U.S. military community.
[ Related: Thousands of local veterans are eligible for VA health care ]
“Some people get Veterans Day confused with Memorial Day,” Shufelt said. “This one here is a celebration more so than a memorial. We’re here to celebrate current and past, and the family members who endured all the times when their significant others were overseas and doing what they do to keep this country free.”
Shufelt gave his gratitude to the veterans present. “Thank you for keeping our country safe and strong,” he said. “You’re very much honored and appreciated for all that you’ve done. Thank you for putting the country first.”
Singer Malcolm Oliver, the Bellingham Community Band and bagpiper Peter Rolstad helped bring liveliness to the ceremony with military anthems and patriotic musical numbers.
Audience members included a few public servants like Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, Sheriff and Post 7 member Donnell Tanksley, Bellingham City Council member and Community Band clarinetist Skip Williams and Ferndale City Council member Herb Porter.
The keynote speaker was Colonel Paul Rosser Jr. of Ferndale, who is also an accomplished mountain guide and, as a semi-retired private citizen, is a “highly over-qualified Lowe’s employee,” according to master of ceremonies Rick Sucee.
Rosser asked the veterans in the room to share their wisdom and knowledge with younger generations by “calling them up: to put on the uniform, take the oath and make something of their lives.”
He added that veterans should offer an open hand to their compatriots who are struggling with PTSD, homelessness and thoughts of suicide.
“Many of us have walked that road,” Rosser said. “As veterans we need to remain vigilant, standing tall in our sworn commitment we made to our country and the Constitution, and pray that in our lifetime we see peace and the end of war.”
The program ended with a 21-gun salute by the Post 7 Rifle Squad and a haunting rendition of taps.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
