Hundreds gather at Veterans Wall of Honor for Memorial Day

WASILLA — Hundreds gathered at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla to honor the fallen men and women of the United States Armed Forces on Monday.

For the first time, the hundreds of Valley residents who gathered to hear speeches, taps, a 21 gun salute and lay wreaths at the Wall were sheltered from the light rain sprinkles by the newly constructed pavilions at the wall. The service began with a presentation of the colors by Scout Troop 359 and 2359 and a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” from Joe Gugel.

“As I’m standing in the crowd this afternoon and we sang the national anthem and said the pledge of allegiance, it just was remarkable to hear the voices around me. It’s great to be able to gather like this and it really just reminded me that we are a community that is loud and proud so I appreciate everyone for their attendance today,” said Mat-Su Borough Manager Mike Brown.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Mat-Su office director Todd Smoldon read a proclamation from the governor and Sen. Lisa Murkowski also had a staff member read her proclamation.

“We pay tribute, honor and respect to those Americans who have given their last full measure to our country. Over the past 75 years we have lost brave Alaskans in wars and battles throughout the world, 112 Alaskans gave their lives in World War II and 10 in Korea, 57 in Vietnam, 26 in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those numbers represent only those who listed their homes of record as Alaska but we know there are many who call our great state home who also paid the ultimate sacrifice,” wrote Murkowski. “Whether they are fallen service members from Alaska or places throughout America, we honor them for their sacrifice and for serving our country so admirably. It is said that heroes never really die as long as we continue to remember and pay tribute to their legacy, it’s up to each of us to make sure they are never forgotten. Let us join together in commitment to honor America’s greatest today and every day through our words and actions keeping their memory and honor alive.”

Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford and Palmer Mayor Edna DeVries also read proclamations to the massive crowd gathered under the pavilions. Board member for the Veterans Wall of Honor J.R. Hackett discussed the continuing construction at the Wall, which is tentatively set to be completed by Veteran’s Day in November. Congressman Don Young gave a rousing speech, opting not to read his proclamation but to ask those in the crowd to honor those fallen veterans on Memorial Day. Young spoke of his trip to Normandy years ago and reflected on the loss of American soldiers.

“On that beach there was 6,000 gallons of blood, 6,000 gallons of blood on that beach in one day for young people that were trying to keep us free, making sure our nation was strong, getting rid of naziism God bless their souls, and I think about it today because this is Memorial Day, but every day 365 days of the year I think about those 6,000 gallons of blood wasted, not wasted put onto this earth to protect our freedoms and our loved ones and the freedom of this great nation,” said Young. “We’re there to defend this country, keep people free and give people equal opportunity in this great nation of ours. That’s our job, lets keep it that way.”

Also in attendance for the event was Sen. Shelley Hughes, Representatives Kevin McCabe and David Eastman and School Board member Dwight Probasco. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan gave the keynote speech, citing numerous examples of patriotism in Alaska.

“There is no place that is more patriotic and more supportive of our military than the Mat-Su Valley, that is a fact,” said Sullivan. “We’re also so patriotic because we understand what sacrifice means and just like behind me the granite walls here are an indication of sacrifice.”

Sullivan mentioned that Alaska has more Veterans per capita than any other state and noted the appreciation for the military with stories from around Alaska. Sullivan noted that every high school graduate from Hoonah fought in Vietnam and that Alaskans oversubscribed on their war bond quota by 300 percent in 1942 during World War II, more than any other state. Sullivan recalled when he was called into active duty and served under General John Abizaid, who often was asked the question if sacrifices of the military men and women were made in vain.

“I will never forget the answer General Abizaid gave each time he was asked this very important question that’s more relevant than ever on Memorial Day in America and so meaningful for all of us and here’s what he said: no American who has ever sacrificed for our nation’s security and our nation’s freedom whether at Valley Forge, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq has ever died in vain for America. Never,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan commended his staff member Kirk Alkire who was a member of the 425 brigade that lost 53 men and women during service in the middle east. Sullivan commended Alkire on his work to help name Gold Star Peak in the Chugach Mountains and thanked him for his service on his last day of work for Sullivan. Recently, Sullivan said that over 300 paratroopers from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hiked the 4,150 Gold Star Peak to honor fallen service members.

“We all know that freedom is not free, freedom has come at a great cost and those who have lost loved ones will tell you that the pain is almost too much to bear and it never goes away but it is not in vain. Each life that is lost is a vital piece of the mosaic that is our military, one of the most positive forces in human history,” said Sullivan. “Let me say that again, I’m not saying our military is perfect. No institution is perfect but here’s a fact to remember that some in American society seem hell bent on going out of their way to criticize and degrade and add wokeness to our military and it’s this, the U.S. military has done more to liberate mankind from tyranny and oppression than any other force in human history.”

The service concluded with performances of God Bless America by the Special Olympics Bell Choir and Joe Gugel. The American Legion Post 35 Honor Guard offered a 21 gun salute and Hank Hartman played taps. Following the service, dozens of wreaths were laid at the wall. The Veterans’ Wall of Honor was moved from its previous location on the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center campus in 2018 to its current home on Wasilla-Fishhook road, where it now shares a parking lot with the new Wasilla Police Department building. The Wall was moved in 2018 and has since been improved with insignia from each of the branches of the United States Armed Forces on the back of the panels and pavilions that cover bleachers which were completed recently. While additional improvements are yet to come, the new home of the Veterans’ Wall of Honor has become a standing monument to Veterans from the Mat-Su Valley. Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford was happy to have the ceremony in Wasilla on Monday.

“It’s hugely important that we remember our fallen and I think it’s very important that our dignitaries have come and shown their support, not only for the fallen but the ones that are still here because we owe them a debt of gratitude as well so it’s very important to me that we continue down the path that we’ve started,” said Ledford. “I couldn’t be more proud of the city of Wasilla and the turnout that we have had here today. I think you see Wasilla is a city that’s got a heart and we try our best to take care of all of our citizens no matter what.”