Published: November 07, 2009 11:14 pm      

Celebrating Veterans Day

PALESTINE — An early Veterans Day community celebration at Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care in Palestine Saturday included a variety of events including a motorcycle fun run and a visit from a Young Marines unit.

The day started at 9 a.m. when about 35 motorcycles participating in the “Soldier’s Christmas Fun Run” took off from the Dogwood Trails facility with an 82-mile ride through the countryside. While the run was taking place, Dogwood Trails’ lawn was filled with residents and members of local veterans’ organizations enjoying entertainment, barbecue and other activities.

Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care, Vietnam Veterans of America No. 991, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America No. 991, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63, DAVA Unit 63, American Legion Post 85, Crown Home Health Care, Guardian Angel DME and H & W Honda sponsored the Fun Run to raise money for the VVA's Adopt a Unit program.

Jim Mounce of Crockett was the winner of the “poker run.” His wife Rose rode with him.

“It was chilly when we left but the roads were beautiful and the leaves were turning colors,” Mounce said of the trip. “The volunteers at the stops were all very courtesy. We had a really good time and will be back next year.”

One of the highlights of Saturday’s festivities was the visit from the NASA Bay Young Marines unit from Houston. The Young Marines is an international youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through high school.

“They are a great group of kids — hardworking, polite, very nice,” said Gerri Simpson, an AVVA member and representative from Crown Home Health. “I think it was good to have them meet with the veterans and residents here. It was a great opportunity for them to learn from those who served before them.”

Dogwood Trails Assisted Living resident Michael Telladira, a World War II and Korean War veteran, particularly liked watching the Young Marines in action.

“I loved watching the Young Marines and seeing what they are learning,” Telladira said. “I enjoyed meeting with different people from different walks of life and talking to everyone at the celebration. It was a nice day.”

DAV Chapter 63 Commander Gordon Brett and VVA Chapter 91 President Allan Ayo were pleased with the Veterans Day event.

“This was a joint event sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 991, American Legion No. 85 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63,” Brett said.

Ayo said this was the first joint event the three veterans organizations put on together.

“We’ve done parades for a few years but we wanted to try to get the community involved in something that is hands-on instead of standing on the sidelines,” Ayo said.

Brett said he hopes the local veterans organizations will continue to work together on future events and hopes to have more turnout from the public at future events.

“We want to give a big thank you to Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and their entire staff for hosting this event,” Brett said. “We also want to thank Crown Home Health and Guardian Angel DME.”

Debbie Wesson, activity director for Dogwood Trails and an AVVA member, said the Veterans Day celebration will be an annual event.

“We had a lot of participants from out of town — Garland, Crockett and Tyler — participate in our Fun Run,” Wesson said. “It was a wonderful day for veterans and it was a great fellowship for everyone who came out.”

Wesson admits she was disappointed more people from the community didn’t come out for the Veterans Day celebration and in support of the Young Marines and local veterans.

“The community really missed out — the Young Marines were worth watching,” Wesson said.

Wesson said the Young Marines have already committed to coming to next year’s event, which Wesson said will include more vendors, which she hopes will be more of an attraction to the public.

While the Veterans Day activities involved a lot of fun Saturday, it also was a solemn time to remember those who have lost their lives fighting for our country.

The United States Flag flew at half-mast in honor of the lives lost Thursday at the Fort Hood shooting tragedy which left 13 dead and 29 wounded.

“Words can’t express how tragic it is,” Ayo said. “I was in tears when I heard. The fact that it happened at an Army post really hit me hard. One of the reasons I think it hit home because we are supporting a unit from Fort Hood.”