Icy wind can't chill Veterans Day ceremony

WASILLA — An icy wind could not deter dozens of veterans, family members, and local officials from turning out to celebrate Veterans Day at the Veterans Wall of Honor near the Parks Highway on Wednesday.

Ceremonial speakers largely focused on themes of sacrifice, duty and patriotism. Representatives from the offices of Federal legislators spoke briefly, and several groups laid wreaths at the wall. Hank Hartman, of Matanuska Music played taps, and members of local Boy Scout Troop 300 raised the flag.

Guest speaker Bob Doehl, deputy commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, focused on veterans as a model Americans should strive to emulate.

“Our veterans set the standard for all American citizens,” he said.

Veterans are examples of humble, dedicated service, Doehl added.

“It’s not about striving to surpass others at any cost,” he said. “It’s about serving others at any cost.”

Doehl also briefly touched on the politics surrounding veterans, and said he supported them without question.

“If that makes me a flag-waver, so be it,” he said. “Our flag is worth waving.”

Speakers mainly did not address the potential future relocation of the Wall of Honor, either within the current property, or to another property. Those changes may be the result of the pending sale of the land to a developer, who plans to build a transitional care facility on the site, which presently also houses the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Contact reporter Brian O’Connor at 352-2270, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.