Mat-Su College hosts annual Veterans Day ceremony

The 2024 Veterans Day Tribute drew a sizable crowd at the Glenn Massay Theater Monday, Nov. 11.

Mat-Su College hosts this annual event each year to honor all branches of the military for their service.

This year’s event featured several speaker presentations and ceremonies including a performance of the National Anthem by community member Jeanette Kincheloe, POW/MIA Table Ceremony, Flag Folding Detail, and guest speaker Shane Holtz of Battle Dawgs which is a local outdoor recreational program designed for combat veterans.

There was also a special tribute dedicated to Gene Horner, who died during the summer of 2024. Horner is a local Vietnam veteran and "Taps" bugler who has performed for about 4,900 funerals over the last two decades, according to MSC academics advisor and Veterans Day Tribute event organizer, Tom Spangler. He said that Horner has been involved with the college's Veterans Day Tribute since it was established, and this year’s ceremony was particularly poignant and emotional without him.

“I had the privilege of calling Gene a friend," Spangler said.

A slideshow honoring Horner's life and legacy was shown to the audience, showing various pictures of his military service, personal life, and presence at local events where he played "Taps". Spangler said that one particular photo of Horner holding his trumpet at an event in the middle of a cold and snowy day represented his unwavering dedication and commitment to his fellow military brethren and community as a whole.

“I have never met an individual more patriotic than Gene. He was completely selfless with his time and energy," Spangler said.

Following the slideshow, Spangler talked about Horner’s life and local impact. Shortly after that, Colony High School JROTC students performed a Flag Folding Detail and presented the flag to Horner's widow Priscilla Horner who was joined by other family members. After the Flag Folding Detail, local bugler Doug Sheaffer performed "Taps". Spangler said that performing "Taps" is a long held military tradition that is both somber and comforting.

“The meaning of it is not lost on veterans or civilians," Spangler said. “It's a perfect song.”

Spangler works with MSC students and specializes in helping active duty military and veteran students make the most of their VA Benefits. He spent nearly three decades in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant in 2010. He helped establish the college's Veterans Day Tribute the following year. He said that he's thankful the College's annual military-oriented event has continued to grow and draws participation from the community each year.

“Well, I think the significance is with the large population of military veterans and active duty military in the area, it gives them the opportunity to come together, but it also gives the civilians- those who haven't served- the ability to witness some of the ceremonies that are important to us, so they can get a better sense of what our heritage and camaraderie is,” Spangler said.

Spangler said that recognizing those who served means a lot to the men and women who enlisted to serve their country.

“As a veteran myself, it's honestly one of the greatest honors any of us could have,” Spangler said.