Falls on the Colorado Museum Veterans' Commemoration attracts many

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Old military rivalries were put aside as veterans cheerfully greeted fellow service members with shouts of “Hoo-Rah!” and “Semper Fi!” Tuesday night at the Falls on the Colorado Museum Veterans' Day commemoration.

Board members were not sure how their first attempt at a Veterans' Day commerative event would go.

Parking overflowed across Broadway Street, and organizers like Jane Knapik did not hesitate to call the event a success. The main room was packed wall-to-wall with veterans and family members. Veterans from every branch of service and every war were represented. 

After the VFW color guard presented the nation's flag, Bob Hansen, post commander of VFW post 10376 in Marble Falls, read the names of every veteran in the room. Others spoke about veterans, not present, who are family members or neighbors. Each veteran was thanked individually for their service.

“These are your veterans,” Hansen announced when all veterans had been recognized. “I’m honored, humbled and privileged.”

Following the ceremony, the Bluebonnet Chorale sang patriotic songs for the crowd.