Huggins talks about 100 years of military service in Alaska

WASILLA — Former Alaska State Senator and retired U.S. Army Ranger Col. Charlie Huggins addressed a large gathering at Wasilla’s Extreme Fun Center Tuesday to help celebrate 100 years of military service in Alaska.

The luncheon address was jointly sponsored by the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Greater Palmer and Big Lake commerce chambers. In addition to a distinguished 25-year military career, Huggins served in the Alaska Senate from 2004-2016.

During his approximate half-hour address to a packed room, Huggins taxed audience members’ history knowledge of battles involving America starting with its own Civil War. During his speech, Huggins took time to recognize other patriotic Americans. He specifically acknowledged the service of former prisoner of war (POW) Walt Fergus of Wasilla and World War II veteran Bill Mitchell. Both attended the event.

“This afternoon I’d like to talk to you about several things, essentially about history. And some of it is going to be about experience — and give an opportunity to answer questions and win a cup,” Huggins said. During his talk, he peppered the audience for dates and names of and (in)famous people involved in a majority of major conflicts involving America. Those giving correct answers were rewarded for their knowledge with large coffee mugs. “If for some reason we fail to recognize an area you served in, I apologize.”

Huggins shared personal, family-related and historical perspectives to help bring across points he wanted to make. His presentation caused him, and many in the audience, to reflect on those points which mainly focused on sacrifice.

Wasilla Deputy Mayor Stu Graham began the presentation with a brief history lesson on each division of America’s Armed Services and before moving to the next, asked any veterans of that branch to stand and be recognized. Huggins expanded on those individuals’ commitments. He said the picture is bigger than that of those American men and women who have enlisted in the Armed Services.

“As the Army says, ‘You recruit the family, not the soldier, or the Marine or the Coast Guardsman because it’s an investment’…the family is the biggest sacrificial piece of that.”

Looking out to the audience, Higgins said, “…the sacrifice you have made it extraordinary.”

In closing, Higgins offered the following.

“Here’s my challenge. We (currently) have a significant number of American service persons deployed overseas. Some in combat, others not,” Huggins said, addressing the current global conflicts in the Middle East that have claimed young American lives. “We have forgotten about Afghanistan…we’ve forgotten about Iraq. Every one of those American’s has a mother, father, a wife or children that can’t forget.”