Alpine Veterans of Foreign Wars Senior Vice Commander John Paul Sullivan said the turnout at the post’s Veterans Day event this year was the largest crowd—approximately 100 people— he has seen there for recent events.
In this unprecedented year of physical distancing and canceled or postponed events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nov. 11 event featured bright sunlight, blue skies, and succinct prayers and comments at the podium that served as something of a return to a familiar ritual for Veterans Day at the local post.
Post Commander Jack Gauthier told the crowd he was going to keep it, summing up the reason for gathering: to honor “the contributions of the nearly 22 million veterans living today,” he explained, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty and justice.
“The true number of people who have benefited cannot be calculated and the number of erected memorials or speeches delivered doesn’t begin to represent the true scope of service our nations’ veterans have provided,” Gauthier said.
He said Veterans Day is not a day for veterans alone.
“It’s a day for all Americans to be a part of, because every citizen has a role to play in carrying the legacy and burden of freedom,” Gauthier said.
Following Gauthier’s remarks, Quartermaster Carl Silva read the names of deceased veterans honored on the wall outside the post while Sullivan rang the bell after each name was said aloud.
Alpine Auxiliary President Sheila Jo Snyder read the names of auxiliary members from the post.
Sullivan later said he thought maybe recent COVID-19 restrictions had something to do with the unusually large turnout at the post.
“Whatever the reason, I thought it went really well and I’m so glad everyone came,” Sullivan said.
