Grand County Veterans Day 2018

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photo by Laura Veraldo | Duane Dailey performs the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony during the Veteran's Day celebration at Snow Mountain Ranch on Monday, November 12.
photo by Laura Veraldo | Duane Dailey performs the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony during the Veteran's Day celebration at Snow Mountain Ranch on Monday, November 12.

by Donald Dailey
At Snow Mountain Ranch, veterans were saluted with a Grand Flag Welcome Arch, courtesy of East Grand Fire and Grand Fire Protection District #1. At the Commons building, breakfast was served, followed by a program. The emcee was Veterans Service Officer Duane Dailey. Mike Turner provided the audio equipment.

Betty Cranmer gave the invocation. The audience recited the pledge of allegiance, and the National Anthem was performed by a brass quartet from Middle Park High School, with Brad Pregeant conducting. The Granby Elementary Minnesingers sang patriotic songs under the direction of Laura Veraldo. Major General (Ret). Doug Anson gave the keynote address.

The solemn ceremony of the Prisoner of War / Missing in Action table was demonstrated by members of American Legion Alex Klein Post #88.
The focus of Veterans Day 2018 was the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the World War I Armistice. The Peaks and Pines Quilt Guild made a beautiful quilt representing the occasion. The quilt was raffled as a prize. The winner Jim Lochnikar, of Kremmling.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Grand County World War I Centenary Project (Donald Dailey), Grand County Historical Association (Barbara Mitchell), and American Legion Alex Klein Post #88 (Gerald Boyd), two Gold Star and twenty Blue Star Service Banners, with certificates, were presented to relatives of veterans, in honor of a father, uncle, grandfather, and great uncle, who had lived in Grand County and served in World War I.