Why should all the veterans activities take place on Veterans Day?
As far as Southwest Republican Women is concerned, they shouldn’t. At the organization’s luncheon Nov. 19, the theme was a patriotic thank-you, all the way from the red, white and blue bunting through the invocation and grand finale.
More than 80 people of all political affiliations attended the event at the DoubleTree Hotel. Each veteran received an American flag lapel pin in honor of his or her service.
They said their menu was all-American from the sirloin meatloaf to the chocolate chip cookies ... wait, where was the apple pie? But if ever there was a reason to deviate and go for chocolate chip cookies, the DoubleTree’s recipe is it.
The day was bittersweet for Southwest Republican Women President Carolyn Plested, who opened the festivities by honoring her parents, both veterans, just four days after the death of her mother, Wiliamina “Bunty” Elder.
Fred Reidinger, Joe Perino, John Malarsie, Steve White and David Latham, all members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4031, presented the colors. All the speakers had served in the military, including Barbara Bales, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Gordon Clouser, who delivered the invocation.
The day also included a panel of a variety of veterans, from different periods and different branches of the military. They were Franklin Anderson, Cecil Benton, William R. Smith, Skip Page, Gail Harris and Tyler Wilson, with his service dog, Antoine. Among them, they shared stories about deployments to Vietnam, Asia and the Pacific, the Pentagon, Afghanistan and bases throughout the U.S.
Bookending the celebration was Durango’s Irish songbird. Gemma Kavanagh kicked off the affair with “The Star-Spangled Banner” – now there’s a voice that can hit that high note – and ended with “God Bless America.”
Heartened by the success of the event, Southwest Republican Women plans to make this tribute to veterans an annual event.
My thanks go to Holli Pfau for serving as my correspondent for this event.
HHH
The skiers among these folks already had their wish answered, but they’ll ask for more of the white stuff as they blow out their birthday candles – Alan Kahler, Ione Simons, Shiann Homer, Darryl Hunt, Karen Siegrist, Alison Epstein, Chris Erikson, Nancy Loftis, Kathie Hudson, Marty Rabeno, Jules Masterjohn, Gary Penington, Ashton Jory, Carol West, Sherilyn Whitney, Barbara Elliott, Tabitha Heckman, David Kolb, Renate Widder, Mary Downey, Kristen Dugan, Diane Higgins, Ernie Shock, Ethan Williamson, Isabell Gray, Caroline Tidwell, Elise Tidwell, David Ottman, John Shafer, Lilian Tucker, Benjamin Andrea, Len Hahl, Nancy Shipps, Ella Roth, Kyla Patterson, Ian Junkermann and Kathie Hudson.
HHH
They watch our backs every day and are the first to show up on the front lines when trouble happens.
But how many of us take the time to say thank you or let know we have their backs, too? The Hundred Club banquet, held Thursday at the Henry Strater Theatre, provided the perfect opportunity to do both.
Members ante up $100 a year for dues that goes into a fund. It means money is available immediately to assist when, God forbid, a first responder is killed in the line of duty, injured in the line of duty, or they or their families suffer a significant loss or accident.
The group was formed after Durango suffered one of our worst tragedies. In August 1974, a conflagration destroyed six buildings in the 800 block of Main Avenue, killing Durango Police Department Cpl. Gale Emerson and Durango Fire Department firefighter Nick Parks. In the ensuing years, the Hundred Club has responded to other tragedies and challenges – and has added scholarships for the dependents of serving first responders.
But back to the banquet.
President Dean Brown welcomed a sellout crowd that was so big, they had to put tables on the stage, too.
There were two highlights, as far as I’m concerned. One was the introductions of all the first responders in attendance, and the other was the introduction of the record-breaking six scholarship recipients.
In no order of agency preference, the folks who represented the Durango Police Department were Capt. Dan Shry and his wife, Wynn; Sgt. Geary Parsons and his wife, Jan; Sgt. Dave Peterson and his wife, Sandy; and reserve officer Jim Wotkyns and his wife, Daryl.
The newly named Durango Fire Protection District personnel were introduced by Chief Dan Noonan, starting with his wife, Ellen; Tom and Sheryl Kaufman (formerly of Durango, now with Upper Pine Fire Protection District); Lt. Fred Hutt and his wife, Jenna; and volunteer firefighter Mark Bauer.
A full contingent represented the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, including Capt. Michael Slade and his wife, Connie; Capt. Todd Hitti and his wife, Erika; sheriff’s office spokesman Dan Bender and his wife, Joni; and Deputy Sean Smith and his wife, Traci.
And last, but far from least, was our office of the Colorado State Patrol. Capt. Adrian Driscoll joked that our highways must be bedlam, since so much of his department was there. (They weren’t – I checked!) He introduced Maj. Lawrence Martin, who drove over from Alamosa for dinner; Sgt. Chad Martin and his wife, Laura; Sgt. Randy Talbot from Pagosa Springs, with his wife, Diana; Trooper Chris Balenti and his wife, Janine; and Chris Cutrone, who was shot in the line of duty years ago and just moved here.
Debra Parmenter introduced the six deserving students who are receiving $1,000 a semester.
They are Bryan Bauer, son of Mark Bauer; Brittany Gillen, the daughter of Deputy Daniel Gillen; Caitlin Martin, daughter of Sgt. Chad Martin; Austin Shupe, the son of Durango police Lt. Ray Shupe; and Amanda Dodge and Shanden Dodge, daughters of Deputy Farrell Dodge. (Two daughters in college at once, whew. They are also granddaughters of a police officer, so they’re twofers in another way.)
I did my best to get the names right, but this was a tough crowd!
HHH
To all my readers, I wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I’m thankful you are out there reading Neighbors over your morning coffee or on a tablet or computer or ... yikes, there’s no excuse not to read Neighbors!
HHH
Sharing gratitude for another year of love and laughter are Tom Everette and Guyneth Zimmerman, Ed and Lauren Cotgageorge, Wayne and Vicki Hose, Bill and Susan Hermesman, Scott and CeCe Sallee, Bob and Linda Gramera, Dan and Mary Howell, Kurt and Deb Campbell, John and Jan Patton, Doug and Kim Pierce, and Robert and Carol Simmons.
HHH
Here’s how to reach me: neighbors@durangoherald.com; phone 375-4584; mail items to the Herald; or drop them off at the front desk. Please include contact names and phone numbers for all items.
