Senior center recognizes veterans

In a packed dining room at the Golden Hour Senior Center, veterans were treated to a free meal and a brief service.

Members of the VFW Post No. 2321, American Legion Posts No. 24 and 28 and American Legion and VFW auxiliaries were on hand to make the event special by making sure the flags were presented. Once the flags were presented, those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

After a short video was played about the sacrifices veterans made, veterans and their guests were treated to a lunch. GHSC employees then passed out goodie bags to all veterans in attendance.

Don Warne, Dallas Galley and James Peterson were just a few of the veterans from Deer Trail to attend the lunch. These men were happy to be recognized for their service.

"We appreciate it very much. It makes us feel good," Galley said.

VFW Post No. 2321 member Don Munoz said it's important to have and observe Veterans Day so the country will not forget where it has been and what it had to do to get to where it's at today.

Hank Castillon, Brigadier General and former Green River mayor, said the country observed Memorial Day to recognize those who paid the ultimate price for the country and Veterans Day is a way to recognize those who served and continue to serve this country.

"They fought to make democracy what it is today," Castillon said.

He said as the years pass so do more veterans. There used to be many surviving World War II veterans and now there are only a few left. Castillon said even the Vietnam veterans are getting into the 60s and 70s.

"It's an honor to reflect and see what we've all endured over the years," he said.

He said for the families of those who served they went through life without their spouses, while the veterans miss birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings, weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations. Castillon said these are the sacrifices made to have a free country.