One day after the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Americans observed Veterans Day on Monday with parades and celebrations in honor of those who served in the U.S. military.
In Cortez, residents held a parade down Montezuma Avenue, served complimentary lunch to military veterans and dedicated a painting in their honor.
Cortez residents marched down Montezuma Avenue beginning at 1 p.m. for the annual Veterans Day parade, sponsored by Ute Mountain American Legion Post 75, to celebrate and show support for local veterans and military personnel.
Many of the attendees at the parade were students from Kemper Elementary, Children’s House, Cortez Middle School, Montezuma-Cortez High School and other local schools, some of whom participated in the procession.
The high school and middle school bands performed songs as processions of cars, motorcycles and fire engines rolled down the road, honking and sounding their sirens.
Firefighters, police and other groups marched down Montezuma Avenue, handing out candy and shaking the hands of residents along the road who donned veteran hats and jackets.
The Elks Lodge No. 1789 in Cortez celebrated Veterans Day Monday with a complimentary brunch for U.S. veterans who served in wars from Korea to Afghanistan.
The event was organized by the Elks Lodge Veterans Committee, which serves local veterans year-round with donations including food, clothing and services such as car rides to Veterans Affairs doctor appointments.
The Elks Lodge hosts the veterans luncheon annually in conjunction with the Montezuma County Veterans Day Parade.
Dennis Wojciechowski is the chairperson of the veterans committee. He organizes many of the committee’s volunteer activities, and he is a veteran of the Cold War.
“For me, it’s an emotional thing,” Wojciechowski said about observing Veteran’s Day as veteran himself.
Wojciechowski and other Elks Lodge members, many of whom are also veterans, volunteered by making and serving Mexican cuisine for lunch and cupcakes for desert.
During the luncheon at Elks Lodge, local artist Michelle Martin dedicated a painting of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, titled “The Honoring”.
Martin said she created the painting after a chance encounter at the Iwo Jima Memorial with a veteran who was present on day in Japan depicted by the sculpture.
“I was blessed that night so many years ago,” Martin said during her dedication. “I often think of the hero who shared his painful memories on that cold rainy night.”
Martin’s son, Joshua James Everin, a former Army enlistee, died in 2013, three days shy of his 22nd birthday. The painting is dedicated to Everin and “all of the men and women who have served and given all.”
“Thank you for your service and sacrifice,” Martin told the crowd of veterans at the luncheon Monday.
The Elks Lodge will display the painting on the premises and sell print copies of it, proceeds of which will fund veterans committee activities, beginning in February.
cpape@the-journal.com
