Local veterans rallied by support shown in parade, ceremony

Families and veterans lined both sides of East Overland as they were passed by veterans, local leaders, first responders and marching bands. There were also a number of other cars, tractors and even horses.

The parade was kicked off by a flyover from an Air Link helicopter as the Scottsbluff High School Air Force JROTC led the parade on the ground. There were also firetrucks from the Scottsbluff and Gering Fire Departments as well as Minatare and Melbeta.

Many participants in the parade threw candy from their vehicles to the delight of children on the sidewalks. Some also elected to hand their candy out instead.

One attendee, David Feltgen thought that there may have been higher attendance this year since Veterans Day fell on a weekend. Feltgen, a Marine veteran himself, said that he and other veterans appreciated events like the parade.

“We love it.”

While plenty of the attendees were there for the festivities just as many of them were there because they had relatives who were veterans or were veterans themselves.

Marissa Gutherless was in attendance since her mother is a veteran. She said also happy that Scottsbluff still holds a parade for the holiday.

“I think it’s really special, I don’t think a lot of communities do it anymore,” Gutherless said.

Veterans Day celebrations continued into the afternoon at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home were a ceremony was held commemorating the veterans there.

The celebration included musical performances, as well as speeches from Steve Jordan, the Commander for DAV Chapter 10 and Matt Meyers, Scotts Bluff County Veterans Service officer.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem immediately followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer by VFW Chaplain Bruce Bain.

Afterward, Charles Evelo, the senior vice commander for the local VFW, read a proclamation from Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen.

In attendance was resident Willard Johnson, a veteran of World War II who had recently turned 104.

Attendees also heard an adaptation of the poem “So God Made a Farmer,” “So God Made a Veteran,” written by Carla Dorman and read by Andrea Meyers. The solemn poem quieted the room as Meyers began to show some emotion while reading the piece.

Local VFW President John Brehm III also discussed the history of the celebration of Veterans Day and how it evolved over the years. Western Nebraska Veterans Home Administrator RJ Stavely also spoke and expressed his desire to create a foundation to help solicit funding for the home.

“I would like to expand our network of dedicated individuals that support our veteran members here and create a foundation whose purpose is to lead and assist meaningful projects of the home,” Stavely said.

At the end of the ceremony Scotts Bluff County VSO Matt Meyers delivered remarks about the celebration of Veterans Day. Jordan, who was working as master of ceremonies thanked Meyers for coming as he is so busy serving as the VSO for most of the surrounding communities.

Meyers then began his remarks saying, “I would rather be nowhere else than here at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home.”

He went on to discuss how when celebrating Veterans Day, he does not often think about his own service, instead reflecting on those who came before him in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

He went on to say how important he felt it was to celebrate the holiday and recognize those who have served their country.

“As we honor veterans and remember their great deeds, let us salute those who are currently fighting for freedom,” Meyers said.

The ceremony was concluded with a celebratory fire from the American Legion Post #36 Color Guard, and even though they were outside away from the ceremony the blasts could still be heard all through the cafeteria at the veterans home.