As is tradition in Pagosa Country, several events will honor those who have served our nation for Veterans Day.
Because Veterans Day, Nov. 11, falls on Sunday, events have been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 12, which serves as the official day to observe the holiday.
Veterans breakfast
Kicking off the day’s events will be the 18th annual veterans breakfast organized and hosted by Pagosa Springs Middle School eighth-graders and other volunteers.
The breakfast serves as both a way to honor the community’s veterans and also a way to connect students to history.
The doors will open for the event at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served until around 10:30 a.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Both veterans residing within Archuleta County and those just visiting are invited to attend.
As part of that event, at 9 a.m., the American Legion Post 108 Honor Guard will demonstrate a military funeral flag fold.
This will take place in lieu of the normal posting of the colors.
Volunteers will be decorating the Community Center gym on Nov. 11 starting around 2 p.m.
Anyone who would like to help decorate is welcome.
Legion ceremony
Then, at 11 a.m., the Post 108 will host its traditional Veterans Day ceremony.
The ceremony is set for precisely 11 a.m. — the time the armistice ending World War I went into effect on Nov. 11, 1918.
The ceremony, held at the Legion Hall at 287 Hermosa St., will begin with a missing man formation flyover by the San Juan Flying Squadron.
Those anticipated to take to the skies on the day are Vietnam combat veteran Navy fighter pilot Craig Taylor, Michael Arbuthnot, Tim Gallagher, David Peart (all of Pagosa Springs) and possibly Travis Reese, of Grand Junction.
Legionnaire Hal Lowe will coordinate the ground portion of the ceremony.
Post Auxiliary luncheon
Immediately following the ceremony, the Legion’s Post Auxiliary will hold a free, catered lunch for veterans and their spouses in the Legion hall.
Flag retirement
While not a Veterans Day ceremony, the Legion has also announced that on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m., there will be a flag retirement and disposal ceremony.
It will take place behind the Legion building and be followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
All are invited to participate and help.
