Veterans' Day remembrance set for next Tuesday

The annual Veterans Day celebration at the Veterans' Wall of Honor in Wasilla has a special guest planned this year.

Last week, while stopping in Wasilla to present World War II veteran Leonard Nugen with his high school diploma, Gov. Tony Knowles accepted the invitation to appear and speak at the ceremony, one of many held around the state on Nov. 11.

Each year, hundreds of people attend the Valley Veterans' Day celebration at the Veterans' Wall of Honor, which is located beside the Mat-Su Visitors' Center at Mile 33.5 Parks Hwy.

It is annually one of the largest Veterans' Day celebrations in the state.

The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. At some point in the ceremony, there will be a U.S. Air Force flyover, which is always a highlight.

Charlie Huggins, president of the Areawide Community Council, and Steve Sweet of the Veterans' Center will deliver the opening remarks.

Following an invocation by the Rev. Gerald Stoneking, the colors will be presented. Staff Sgt. Gavin Rueb of Elmendorf Air Force Base will perform the national anthem.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Leo Kaye and Lloyd Rudd will address the crowd about the planned War Dogs Memorial.

Kaye has been trying to gain community support for the memorial, which would be located next to the Veterans' Wall of Honor. The design and conceptual drawings are already completed, and now fund-raising is the major hurdle. Kaye has been working hard for more than a year at getting the project off and running.

With Jessie Walker Bills playing "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, wreaths will be laid at the memorial. It is one of the most emotional parts of the ceremony, as community groups as well as individuals lay a wreath in honor of veterans.

Bill Kelder of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 891 will talk about remembering veterans, while Marianne Schlegelmilch will talk about honoring veterans.

They will give way to the keynote speaker. In addition to Knowles, Col. Robertus Remkes of Elmendorf Air Force Base will speak. Remkes is the commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf.

Remkes' 3rd Wing provides the commanders in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command trained and equipped tactical air forces, all-weather strike capabilities, command and control platforms and tactical airlift resources.

The Colony High School Jr.ROTC program will then provide a ceremonial firing, and Rabbi Abraham Garmaize will deliver the benediction.

The ceremony concludes with Rueb performing "God Bless America" and a sounding of "Taps" by Gene Horner of Bugles Across America and SM/Sgt. James Soukup.

For more information about the Veterans' Day remembrance event, interested people can call 373-2268.