SAN LUIS VALLEY— “Originally called Armistice Day to celebrate the end of World War I, the day is now known as Veterans Day. ‘The Great War’ officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceases seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 am, is generally regarded as the end of  ‘the war to end all wars.’”

The Adams State University Veterans at Adams Club will host a Veteran’s Day celebration at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Student Union Building banquet rooms A128 and A129. The event is free to all veterans, their families, and supporters.

On Friday, Nov. 10 at noon, the public is invited to attend a free lunch sponsored by San Luis Valley Health at the SLV Health Education and Conference Center, 1921 Main Street (former Grizzly Inn).

SLV Health would like to recognize their employees who have served in the military with a presentation by a panel of employees on the theme of “From military to healthcare service.” Presenters include Dr. Thomas Miller, Dr. Carmelo Hernandez, Danny McDaniel, Francis Song and Billy Werner. There are more than 25 employees at San Luis Valley Health who have either served or are serving in the military.

Bulletin boards will be decorated through the organization during the month of November to highlight these dedicated individuals, as well as brief stories published in the company newsletter.

Dr. Miller is a pediatrician who served for seven years in the Navy. Dr. Hernandez is an OB/GYN provider and surgeon who was a captain in the Air Force. McDaniel works in the IT department and served in Operation Earnest Will, 1987. Song was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and works in the emergency department as a technician. Werner is a surgical technician and served as a specialist in Iraq and has received a Purple Heart.

On Saturday, Nov. 11 after the veterans’ parade in Alamosa, there will be free attendance/parking for all veterans and a guest at the Adams State University football game and pre-game tailgate with half-time recognition, where SLV Health is the corporate sponsor.

Contact Donna Wehe with questions at 587-1209.

The veterans’ organizations of Alamosa, American Legion Post 113, Post 899 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliaries will sponsor the annual Veterans Day Parade on Main Street in Alamosa at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. Anyone wishing to participate in the parade to recognize the veterans, past and present, should contact Aaron Holcomb at 719-496-9048 or Jack Rudder at 588-9838. The parade will form beginning at 9 a.m. at 6th and La Due and will kick off at approximately 10:50 a.m. There will be a short ceremony at Main and State at exactly 11 a.m. Originally called Armistice Day to celebrate the end of World War I, we now know it as Veterans Day. “The Great War”, World War I, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28th, 1919. However, fighting ceases seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Creede

Service:

The Creede Elks Veterans Day Community Service will be held Friday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Park. Veterans are welcome to meet at the sheriff’s office at 10:45 a.m. and proceed together to the park.

The Creede School District invites area veterans and the general public to join them for a breakfast on Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. to honor those that serve or have served. Please RSVP by Nov. 10 to the school by calling 658-2220.

The Monte Vista Veterans Parade & Tribute will be held on Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. The parade with begin at Stars and Strikes and head west to Adams Street. It will then head south to 3rd Street, where it will then go west to Bronk Street. At Bronk it will turn north back to 2nd Street and finally turn east on 2nd, ending at the Faith Hinkley Veterans Memorial Park. The veterans tribute will take place immediately following the parade at the FHVMP. If anyone would like to be in the parade, please call Debbie Garcia at 852-5700

Speakers for the tribute will include Mayor Debbie Garcia and Senator Larry Crowder. Pastor Wayne Wittner and other pastors from local churches will offer the Invocation and Scripture readings.

The Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake invites all veterans and their families to the Paden-Meyer Memorial Chapel Rededication at 1 p.m. in the chapel and the Veteran’s Day Program and Social at 2:30 p.m. in the dining room on Nov. 11. The chapel will also be open to tour from 1–5 p.m. 

To those unable to attend please know the staff and residents of Homelake thank you and your families for your service and sacrifice for our country.  With questions, please contact Pam or Melanie at 852-5118.  

Colorado Parks and Wildlife honors veterans and active duty members of the military, military reserve and National Guard by offering free admission to any Colorado state park for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Any member of the military forces or veteran can enter any of Colorado’s 41 state parks free of charge, along with his or her companions joining in the same vehicle.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is proud to thank our veterans and military members by offering free admission to our state parks in honor of Veterans Day,” said CPW Director Bob Broscheid. “We invite the men and women who serve or have served our country in the armed forces to enjoy our state parks on Saturday, Nov. 11, with their friends and family. It is a small but sincere gesture of our appreciation for their service and sacrifices.”

Military members or veterans visiting the parks must present proof of military service at the park gate. This free entry extends to all passengers in the same vehicle with a qualified service member. All other park fees, such as camping or fishing fees, still apply. Military identification methods include: Military ID card, applicable DD form, Veterans Affairs health identification card, a current Colorado driver’s license or state-issued identification card with the veteran seal printed on it.

To learn more about other military benefits offered by CPW year-round, visit cpw.state.co.us.