Veterans’ service commemorated during annual ceremony at Wall of Honor

Every November, on the 11th day at the 11th hour, the country takes time to commemorate the sacrifices of the generations of America’s veterans — patriots who have stood on the frontlines of freedom and liberty here at home and around the world. Amid the backdrop of brisk temperatures and snow, veterans, families, and community members took time Monday to recognize everything veterans have given to the country, gathering at the Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla for the annual Veterans Day ceremony.

“Each one of our Nation’s veterans is a link in a chain of honor that stretches back to our founding days — bound by a sacred oath to support and defend the United States of America. Throughout history, whenever and wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the flame of freedom, America’s veterans have been fighting to keep it burning bright,” read part of the President Joe Biden’s proclamation, which was read during the ceremony.

The ceremony, hosted by American Legion Post 35-Susitna Valley, featured graduating seniors from the Houston High School football team posting the colors, a rendition of the National Anthem from the Colony High School Choir, and a 21-gun Salute was rendered by the American Legion Post 35 Honor Guard.

Senator Dan Sullivan, who recently retired from the United States Marine Corps, was not able to attend but did send a message to the men and women at the ceremony.

“My blessings to all veterans today is this-whether you served in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, the Cold War and the Gulf War, or the War on Terror, each of you have played an integral role in this remarkable fact-American democracy backed by a strong military has done more to liberate men, women, and children from tyranny and oppression…than any other force in human history.”

“Every time I come here to this place, it reminds me of what’s great about the Mat-Su Borough,” said Todd Smoldon, Director of the Mat-Su Valley office of Governor Michael Dunleavy, before taking a moment to thank the late Bert Cottle’s tireless efforts in the establishment of the Memorial Wall. “This is a pretty special place and this is a real testament of how people can work together to do something of real value.” Smoldon then read Governor Dunleavy’s proclamation observing Veterans Day.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries noted that when she had seen voters turn out in masse to vote, she said it was because of veterans.

“I couldn’t help but thank the veterans for that to happen because if you had not paid the price to serve, to protect our country, to protect our freedoms, we would not have had the election we just had.”

After the proclamations were read, several local officials and veteran groups, on behalf of the residents of the many communities within the Borough, laid wreaths along the wall as a small measure of their gratitude to the men and women who served.