Palmer American Legion celebrates 2021 Veterans Day

PALMER — American Legion Post 15 members celebrated Veterans Day with an official ceremony paying tribute to veterans for their service to the United States Military.

“Everyone must remember them. Everyone must appreciate them,” Post 15 Commander Michael Collins said.

Collins led the ceremony with a special presentation discussing the significance of serving in the armed forces, the importance of veterans looking out for each other, and community members doing what they can to show their support.

“We at the American Legion welcome and encourage conversations such as these among veterans. We remind veterans that their service matters. We remind them that their well-being matters, especially to us. Most importantly, we offer our friendship and our assistance,” Collins said.

One of the most prevalent problems plaguing veterans regardless of when they served or what branch of service they served in is the ever staggering rate of depression and suicide across the country. Collins said this is why they perform “buddy checks” amongst Legion members and other local veterans and suicide prevention is their top priority.

“We must do whatever it takes to encourage veterans to seek help from the Department of Veterans Affairs or other trained professionals. We must remove all stigmas associated with asking for help or being diagnosed with PTSD, depression, or any condition that could lead one to take his or her own life. All of us can help… Let them know that you are an ally, that you can be counted on for support,” Collins said.

Collins said this year’s ceremony went well. He said it was a full day with large events like the annual gathering at the Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor. He said it was very encouraging to see so many people coming together to show their support for Veterans Day.

“It was just absolutely a great day. The wall ceremony was awesome. What we had here was small but very to the point,” Collins said. “Just to be recognized for what you did and for everyone to just show up and say thank you, it just means a lot.”

American Legion board member Jerry Hoskins said the sense of camaraderie is the best part of being a part of local veteran organizations such as theirs.

“It’s a family and you get to know all of them. It’s kind of a hub to expand our help to veterans,” Hoskins said.

Sen. Shelley Hughes made a special guest appearance to thank veterans across generations for their countless contributions and sacrifices to their country.

“I think about the bravery of the veterans in the face of all the challenges… You all are my heroes and what we have today is because of you,” Hughes said. “I bet you a lot of people across the United State today are thinking about what our nation has been, what we want it to be in the future and the price you all paid. I’m hoping more and more people step up to the plate because this nation is the greatest on Earth and it is because of veterans.”

For more information about American Legion Post 15, call 907-745-4440

Any local veterans who are currently experiencing severe depression or suicidal ideation are encouraged to call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com