All American military veterans and their families as well as reservists and members of the National Guard are invited to the American Legion Post 20 in Old Town Kenai on Saturday, Nov. 11 to participate in a ceremony honoring local veterans.
The annual gathering at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day on the eleventh month will take place at 11:00am. Immediately following the ceremony the American Legion will be hosting an open house and a potluck. In addition to the American Legion gathering, the local VFW will and AMVETS will be hosting open houses at the same time.
David Segura with American Legion Post 20 says its an honor to take this opportunity to remember those who have paid the cost to serve the cause of American freedom. “There’s a saying that says that with our veterans, they all gave some, but some gave all,” said Segura in an interview with KSRM’s Merrill Sikorski. “This is the perfect time to remember that and remember those families that have had to put up with that sacrifice of their kids, their brothers, sisters being put in harm’s way and some coming home and some haven’t. This is a chance for us to remember that.”
Segura says there is a great benefit to veterans who participate in the American Legion because of the way they are able to support one another;
“In the American Legion, we say that there’s no rank among us. So, we get us veterans together, whether it’s the old veterans or the young. It gives us camaraderie, prevents isolation. It gets them out of the house, gives them a reason for being [at the American Legion]. Plus, they can serve other veterans in different aspects. There’s some of our veterans that need firewood, so other veterans will go out and get it for them. Some need rides to and from doctor’s appointments, and a lot of times we find this out when we’re together talking.”
Those who will be attending are encouraged to arrive by 10:30 in the morning to ensure they’ll have a place to sit since the ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00am.