Navy veteran Jan Bennett paid tribute to a fellow veteran by placing a flag at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Bennett, 78, participated in one of the ceremonies held in Henderson and Boulder City to honor veterans on Saturday. He expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans, allowing him to enjoy the freedoms of this great country.
Dawn Kramer, 64, organized the flag planting event at the cemetery. Her initiative began in 2019 when she planted a flag in honor of her father, a Korean war veteran. After realizing that many graves were without flags, she decided to return each year with more flags. Over the years, the number of flags has increased significantly, with nearly 14,000 flags placed this year.
One of the volunteers assisting in placing flags was Marine Corps veteran James Kozelouzek, 77. He emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and described it as the least everyone can do. Kramer shared a touching moment she experienced at the cemetery, where a woman was overcome with emotion while honoring her freshly buried father. This encounter reinforced Kramer’s commitment to continue planting flags for all veterans memorialized at the cemetery.
In Henderson, Kevin Linson, 49, attended the annual Veterans Day Ceremony wearing a shirt that read “Air Force Dad” to honor his son who serves in the Air Force. The ceremony featured the inscription of 26 new names on the Veterans Memorial Wall, bringing the total number of names to nearly 2,000. The ceremony recognized veterans from various wars, aiming to inspire a new generation to serve their country.
Colonel Argie Moore, the keynote speaker, highlighted the sacrifices made by veterans and the importance of acknowledging their service. Moore addressed the issue of veteran suicide, emphasizing the need to prioritize mental health and support for veterans. Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero echoed the sentiment, urging for increased awareness of available resources for veterans in need.
Representation of women veterans was a key topic for attendee Ana Cozad, 68, a retired Air Force master sergeant. Cozad emphasized the contributions of women in the military and the need for equal recognition alongside male veterans. The ceremony at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery will continue with additional events, including a 21-gun salute and a speech from a World War II nurse.
As the ceremonies conclude, volunteers will be needed to help remove the flags from the cemetery. The event serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to honoring and supporting veterans. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available through the Lifeline network at 988 for assistance and support.
