VFW Honor Guard Captain Dennis Ziniel leads post members in a gun salute at VFW Post #3516 Monday. Photo by Aaron Ricca
KINGMAN – Almost every small town takes the weekend off to recognize those who put their lives and livelihoods aside for a minute or two.
Veterans of Foreign Wars posts #10386 and #3516 held brief but meaningful ceremonies on Veterans Day.
The downtown Kingman Veterans Day Parade was a hit, but sometimes it’s the smaller gatherings that bring veterans together.
Here are some excerpts from the speech read by VFW District 9 Commander Steven Oliphant and VFW Post #3516 Senior Vice Commander Wes Maroney at the gatherings, some poignant than ever:
“Today’s world is often hyper-focused on division and Veterans Day provides us an opportunity to remember that despite different beliefs and lifestyles, our desire for a better life has always united us.”
“We must make it our shared mission to educate and remind future generations that at its core, the American spirit is defined by resilience, selflessness and commitment.”
“The lessons taught by what veterans have provided all of us should never be forgotten. It’s up to each of us to keep the legacy of our nation’s veterans alive, to make sure the same spirit and faith in democracy carries through so that future generations will celebrate the unity, courage, valor and singleness of purpose that is the strength of a free nation.”
VFW Honor Guard Captain Dennis Ziniel led a gun salute at post #3516. He wanted to let the public know that the VFW Honor Guard is available to accommodate funeral services for deceased veterans in the absence of an active duty or National Guard honor guard.
“We’d be happy to step in,” Ziniel said. “We’re here to give families closure.”
He can be reached at 928-757-3264.
Aaron Ricca
