Douglas County is set to pay homage to its military service members with a Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners, alongside the Douglas County Veterans Service Office and the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation, are hosting the event at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Monument Plaza, according to Douglas County.
The ceremony will prominently feature one Gilbert Espinoza, a name that carries the weight of a Navy SEAL in Vietnam and a retired firefighter from Colorado. The program is looking to equally highlight other veterans, including Col. Sean Pechon of the US Marine Corps, retired, and Douglas County Veterans Service officers Chris Maes, formerly of the US Army, and Darcy Hoffman, previously with the US Air Force. "We all know someone who has served in America’s armed forces. If you served, we thank you," as per Douglas County.
Local dignitaries, such as County Commissioners George Teal, a former Army man himself, Abe Laydon, and Lora Thomas, are also slated to speak during the ceremony. Music will be provided by Byron Miller, a local musician with a three-decade stint in Colorado, underscoring the community's respect and appreciation for its veterans.
In further commemoration, Douglas County Government offices will deliberately choose to close on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of the official federal holiday. The remembrance doesn't end with the federal recognition, however. Residents have another opportunity to solemnly honor their veterans with the Wreaths Across America ceremony slated for Dec. 14. Wreaths Across America, a nationwide effort to remember the fallen, is coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock and Fort Logan National Cemetery. Interested parties are being called upon to sponsor a wreath to honor Veterans and in doing so, ensure that the legacy of those who served is never forgotten nor taken for granted.
