Written By: Sahara Stevens, Talon Staff Reporter

Veteran’s Day is on November 11th every year. It is an important day in which we celebrate men and women that have fought or will fight for our country’s freedom. This year, Anderson’s Tribute Center held a memorial for Veteran’s day. The ceremony had several local veterans attend as well as the boy scouts and members of Hood River County’s American Legion Post 22. There were many tribute videos, beautiful songs-including the “National Anthem” and “America, the Beautiful”- and a reception afterwards. This year is also the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war. Many Vietnam Veterans are still alive today, and attended the ceremony at Anderson’s.

Meet Veteran Carl Casey. Casey was in the Army 7th Special Forces. He served from January 1, 1968-October 23, 1971, during the Vietnam War Era. Casey was a Medical Supervisor for the Green Berets. The Green Berets are an organization of about twelve people and can be called into a country to train the local inhabitants to fight for themselves. However, Casey was never sent directly into Vietnam, but he did get to visit several other countries. He has been to the Philippines, Panama, Puerto Rico, and was trained throughout the United States. Today, Casey can be found working with the American Legion Post 22.

Denny Leonard is another Vietnam veteran who attended the ceremony at Anderson’s. Leonard served in  the United States Army as an infantryman from 1966-1968. Leonard served exclusively in Vietnam for a little over a year and was trained in the United States as well.

Veteran’s Day is all about honoring all of the people who have fought and died, continue to fight, and will fight in the future. As a veteran, the day is about being honored, proud, and remembering all of the fallen or missing comrades. Veterans don’t need anything special- a simple “thank you” will do.

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