Veterans’ Highway a visible tribute

Above, Tony Shelton and Kevin Burke attach a wreath to the Mat-Su Veterans’ Highway sign, left, near the intersection of Church and Seldon roads. The wreaths were purchased by the Palmer Elks Lodge and the flags were donated by Burke’s Military & Flags. Wreathes were placed at three of the 10 signs along the memorial highway. Shelton said he hopes the wreath-hanging becomes an annual event.

“I would like to get folks like the AMVETS, Purple Heart and the VFW (organizations) to sponsor this,” Shelton said. “I would like to put one on every pole.” Shelton said he wants more people to notice and bring more attention to the Veterans Highway. See page 3 for a list of local Memorial Day events and ceremonies.

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

Several ceremonies are scheduled around Southcentral Alaska in honor of Memorial Day, May 30.

• A Memorial Day ceremony is at 2 p.m., today at the Alaska Veterans Memorial at Mile 147.1, Parks Highway. The event includes dignitaries who will arrive and depart by Black Hawk helicopter. Some 300 to 500 member of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club also are expected to attend.

• Wasilla’s Susitna VFW Post No. 9365’s annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:30 a.m., Monday. Members will assemble at the Main Street Wasilla Post Office at 10:30 a.m., and travel to the cemetery for a small ceremony beginning at 11 a.m.

• Honor Ceremony at the Veterans Wall of Honor near the Mat-Su Visitors Center is at 1 p.m., Monday.

• Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki will visit the Anchorage Veterans Memorial Monday at Delaney Park Strip at 9 a.m., and deliver the keynote address during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at noon. Sen. Mark Begich also is scheduled to attend.