“You answered the call” Veterans, community members honor service and sacrifice at Wall of Honor

The brisk temperatures and snowy backdrop did not prevent veterans and community members from taking time on Saturday morning to honor and remember veterans, gathering together the Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla for the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony.

The solemn ceremony, hosted by AMVETS Post 9, featured members of the Junior ROTC from Wasilla High School, a rendition of the National Anthem from Dorothy Hight, along with the Colony High School ASL Honor Society, who were on hand to provided sign language translation, and numerous speakers to celebrate and honor the sacrifices veterans from all branches of the military and their families have made in service to the country on the 104th anniversary of Veteran’s Day.

“Today is a day for all to celebrate all those that have served and are serving, to thank them for their sacrifice and dedication to our great nation,” said the Master of Ceremony, Scott Montagne, Commander of AMVETS Post 9.

Senator Dan Sullivan, a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, gave a rousing speech, reminding veterans that they are part of a legacy of service unique to the United States.

“American military veterans have that incredible legacy that no other country has had, it’s very special and I like to remind our veterans of that, and they’re all part of that legacy. If you’ve worn the uniform of the United States, you are part of that legacy.”

Representative Cathy Tilton, the only member of the Alaska State legislature in attendance, said it is an honor to take time to thank veterans for their service with ceremonies such as these.

“We should be honoring them every day. They put their lives out there for all of us, and we are the land of the free because of the brave, so I am really happy to be here to honor our veterans. This setting is very beautiful and but it’s really awesome that we have a community event like this, where we can thank everyone for their service, and their families, too.”

(S)MSgt Christy Sturdivant of the 673rd Security Forces Squadron from Join Base Elmendorf-Richardson recalled how a younger version of herself would sit in History class when a teacher turned on a news channel, covering the events of September 11, 2001, and again a few years later, when she watched the invasion of US Troops into Iraq and Afghanistan. When (S)MSgt Sturdivant was 17, her mother signed the paperwork that allowed her to enlist.

“To be among so many veterans today, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, for paving the way for us who are actively serving today. You fought for our freedom, and (that) of so many of us who were watching on the other end of those newsfeeds.”

Before the ceremony began, at 11:11 am, several local officials, 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.

During his closing remarks, Commander Montagne got emotional when he spoke of thanking his wife for serving alongside him, and other military families who were there in support of their veterans.

“She said, ‘you don’t have to thank me, I’m not a veteran.’ I said ‘yeah, you were there with me.’” He went on to tell the crowd that while he may have been the one to sign on the dotted line, but he didn’t serve alone, that his wife was right there with him and that the families like his provided support and dedication

“Your support is greatly appreciated because you are the ones that stay behind so we can do our job to protect our nation.” He then implored everyone to thank a veteran for their service.