John Scarffe, Gilpin County. Gilpin County veterans, school students, parents and guests packed the Old Gymnasium at the Gilpin County Schools to celebrate Veterans’ Day on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. As the students poured into the gym, the Gilpin County Middle School and High School band played introductory music.

The ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by the Abraham Lincoln High School JROTC with members First Sgt. Mario Rodriguez, Commander Sgt. Major Saul Claustro, First Lt. Britney Ornelas and Captain Louisa Rodriguez. First Sgt. U.S. Army Retired Anthony Etheridge sponsored the Color Guard and gave the keynote speech later in the evening. 

Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance, and then the Middle School and High School choir sang the National Anthem. Eldridge then placed the POW/MIA flag. 

Superintendent Dr. David MacKenzie welcomed everyone to the ceremony and quoted President Harry S. Truman, who said on April 17, 1945, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. Because of these sacrifices, the dawn of justice and freedom throughout the world slowly casts its gleam across the horizon.” 

MacKenzie thanked the honored guests and said, “We appreciate your service for all Americans.” Three Gilpin County senior students then served as master of ceremonies for the rest of the event: Nicole Adams, Isabel Szucs and Samantha Smith.

Nicole Adams said the theme of the celebration this year is service. This year’s seniors purchased a plaque supporting our veterans. Seniors and Gilpin County High School cheerleaders presented the plaque, which read: “Supporting our Veterans, To Our Men and Women in Uniform, Past, Present and Future, Thank You, Gilpin County Schools, Donated by the Class of 2020.

The cheerleaders then read the Kelly Roper poem, “How Do You Measure a Soldiers Sacrifice?”

“How do you measure a soldier’s sacrifice?

Is it by the number of friends and family left behind?

Is it by the months or years given in service?

How do you measure a soldier’s courage?

Is it by the number of objectives completed,

Or by the number of bullets dodged or Missions served?

How do you measure a soldier’s honor?

Is it by the duty he or she volunteers for,

Or by the number of medals earned?

The simple truth is that these things

Are immeasurable,

As is this country’s debt to all who serve,

And pay the price for freedom in this land.” 

The choir sang America the Beautiful/Here’s to America and then added Fifth and Eighth graders to sing 50 Nifty United States, naming all the states in the union. Two active military members addressed the crowd.

The Marine Corp representative said he is back in Colorado on recruiting duty. In high school, he loved sports and, after he graduated, he wanted that experience to continue. 

He found the Marines, because of how strong the bond is. “It’s not just a job,” he said. “You have long days away from family, but you are continuing the legacy, the honor and the tradition.”

The second active military spokesman addressed the crowd in Navajo at the beginning, and said he was raised in the Four Corner’s area of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. He has served for 17 years and will be retiring in three years. 

Being in the military means a lot, because members of his family, both Hispanic and Navajo, have defended this country. He also thanked law enforcement and fire department employees, because they are veterans too. “We always think about our family,” he said.

Isabelle Szugs thanked the current military and veterans for their service. She asked the veterans, who were seated together on the gym floor, to introduce themselves and give their rank and time in service. Eighteen veterans stood up and introduced themselves, and many had grandchildren in attendance at Gilpin Schools.

The veterans thanked the school for this event and thanked the seniors for the new plaque. One said, “You have many ways to serve your country, and going to school is one of them.”

First Sgt. U.S. Army Retired Anthony Etheridge with Abraham Lincoln High School said the last time he was in a school setting, a young girl came up to him and said, “God, you’re short.” She challenged him see who could blink first. He blinked, so he started practicing not blinking in case he ran into her again.

He served starting in 1995, and wanted to say “Thank You.” He said it was great to see scouts participating in the ceremony. He saluted the service of all veterans and also reminded us not to forget about all those who are currently deployed. 

Elementary and Secondary students sang Because of You, and the cheerleaders saluted the veterans with Tell their Stories. The Abraham Lincoln High School JROTC retired the colors, and then everyone moved to a reception to meet and greet, students, friends, neighbors and veterans.

(Originally published in the November 14, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)