thedrifter
11-11-06, 08:07 AM
Fort soldiers, Marines honor fellow veterans in annual celebration
BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — Friday was a busy day for Marines on Fort Huachuca.
First, some had to take part in the city’s Veterans Day Parade.
While that was happening other active-duty and retired Marines and their family members were preparing the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre on post for the annual Marine Corps Ball Friday night, expected to be attended by nearly 350 people.
With a small contingent — about 40 staff member and students — the post’s Marine detachment has a lot of work to do preparing for the 231st birthday of the service, said Capt. Alan Ramsey, the detachment’s commander.
It’s not unusual for Marines to be preparing for their ball and doing something for Veterans Day at the same time, he said.
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, is Nov. 11. But this year it was celebrated locally on Nov. 10.
For the 12th year, the city has sponsored the parade, an event of active-duty soldiers, airmen and Marines marching down Fry Boulevard, as well as veterans’ organizations, bands and other groups, in which thousands either participated or watched.
This year, soldiers of the 11th Signal Brigade, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, airmen from the 314th Training Squadron and the Marines were part of the parade, along with members of the 36th U.S. Army Band and the Fort Huachuca Honor Guard.
Of the day to honor veterans, Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, commander of the Intelligence Center and the fort, said that 88 years ago in a railway carriage in France an armistice was signed putting an end “to the war to end all wars.”
Although there was hope the conclusion of World War I would end armed conflict, it did not happen.
But there are those who will want what belongs to someone else, Fast said. As long as there are those who cannot tolerate someone else’s freedom of conscience and they inflict pain on others, there will be conflict, she added.
From a historical perspective, the general was right. World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the current situation in Iraq, as well as a number of other types of global turmoil, followed.
Although humankind seems to always be at war, “there will also be great men and women who put others before themselves, who lay down their lives for their friends and who immortalize themselves by keeping the torch of freedom aflame,” Fast said.
Those individuals are the veterans.
“There are many brave men and women who share our values and fight for freedom and the right to choose, wherever it may take them and whatever the personal cost,” the general said. “Today is our day for our American veterans, all 25 million of us.”
And all Americans who have served took an oath pledging to support and defend the United States, Fast said. She recited the current oath taken by soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
“This is the oath that ties us together. It is our red, white and blue colors that bind us across generations of veterans. … I see the veterans of past and present, who have made this great nation,” Fast said.
Retired Army Col. Virginia Gannon was honored Friday as the parade’s grand marshal.
Of her, Sierra Vista Mayor Tom Hessler, who named Gannon to the position, said she has served the nation with assignments in the United States and other places in the world.
Gannon continues her sense of service with her volunteer work in Sierra Vista, the mayor said. Her accomplishments range from her involvement with the arts to work with the historical and animal protection communities.
As for a present day veterans, Hessler mentioned Spc. Jacob Arnold, the post Soldier of the Quarter, who was Gannon’s escort. Arnold, who is with the 11th Signal Brigade’s 40th Signal Battalion, and Gannon cut a special cake at the city’s Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Those who attended the end of the parade ceremony in the park stood as the post Honor Guard salute battery fired off 21 shots from howitzers, followed by the 24 notes of taps, played by a 36th U.S Army Band member.
The five service songs — Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army — were played by the military band.
At the conclusion of the event, people mingled.
Some wore their World War II uniforms, others had attire that indicated they were veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. In the crowd were those who served in Iraq and others who took part in other conflicts.
It was a time of pride.
“I’m proud to be a veteran and a citizen of the United States of America,” Fast said.
It was thought perhaps held by many Friday, from the Marines who were celebrating the founding of their Corps, to all who are wearing or have worn the uniforms of the nation’s other military services.
herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Ellie
BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — Friday was a busy day for Marines on Fort Huachuca.
First, some had to take part in the city’s Veterans Day Parade.
While that was happening other active-duty and retired Marines and their family members were preparing the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre on post for the annual Marine Corps Ball Friday night, expected to be attended by nearly 350 people.
With a small contingent — about 40 staff member and students — the post’s Marine detachment has a lot of work to do preparing for the 231st birthday of the service, said Capt. Alan Ramsey, the detachment’s commander.
It’s not unusual for Marines to be preparing for their ball and doing something for Veterans Day at the same time, he said.
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, is Nov. 11. But this year it was celebrated locally on Nov. 10.
For the 12th year, the city has sponsored the parade, an event of active-duty soldiers, airmen and Marines marching down Fry Boulevard, as well as veterans’ organizations, bands and other groups, in which thousands either participated or watched.
This year, soldiers of the 11th Signal Brigade, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, airmen from the 314th Training Squadron and the Marines were part of the parade, along with members of the 36th U.S. Army Band and the Fort Huachuca Honor Guard.
Of the day to honor veterans, Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, commander of the Intelligence Center and the fort, said that 88 years ago in a railway carriage in France an armistice was signed putting an end “to the war to end all wars.”
Although there was hope the conclusion of World War I would end armed conflict, it did not happen.
But there are those who will want what belongs to someone else, Fast said. As long as there are those who cannot tolerate someone else’s freedom of conscience and they inflict pain on others, there will be conflict, she added.
From a historical perspective, the general was right. World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the current situation in Iraq, as well as a number of other types of global turmoil, followed.
Although humankind seems to always be at war, “there will also be great men and women who put others before themselves, who lay down their lives for their friends and who immortalize themselves by keeping the torch of freedom aflame,” Fast said.
Those individuals are the veterans.
“There are many brave men and women who share our values and fight for freedom and the right to choose, wherever it may take them and whatever the personal cost,” the general said. “Today is our day for our American veterans, all 25 million of us.”
And all Americans who have served took an oath pledging to support and defend the United States, Fast said. She recited the current oath taken by soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
“This is the oath that ties us together. It is our red, white and blue colors that bind us across generations of veterans. … I see the veterans of past and present, who have made this great nation,” Fast said.
Retired Army Col. Virginia Gannon was honored Friday as the parade’s grand marshal.
Of her, Sierra Vista Mayor Tom Hessler, who named Gannon to the position, said she has served the nation with assignments in the United States and other places in the world.
Gannon continues her sense of service with her volunteer work in Sierra Vista, the mayor said. Her accomplishments range from her involvement with the arts to work with the historical and animal protection communities.
As for a present day veterans, Hessler mentioned Spc. Jacob Arnold, the post Soldier of the Quarter, who was Gannon’s escort. Arnold, who is with the 11th Signal Brigade’s 40th Signal Battalion, and Gannon cut a special cake at the city’s Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Those who attended the end of the parade ceremony in the park stood as the post Honor Guard salute battery fired off 21 shots from howitzers, followed by the 24 notes of taps, played by a 36th U.S Army Band member.
The five service songs — Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army — were played by the military band.
At the conclusion of the event, people mingled.
Some wore their World War II uniforms, others had attire that indicated they were veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. In the crowd were those who served in Iraq and others who took part in other conflicts.
It was a time of pride.
“I’m proud to be a veteran and a citizen of the United States of America,” Fast said.
It was thought perhaps held by many Friday, from the Marines who were celebrating the founding of their Corps, to all who are wearing or have worn the uniforms of the nation’s other military services.
herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Ellie