Weiser honors those who have served

Veterans were honored on Monday at events at local schools, the Weiser Elks lodge and the Weiser Senior and Community Center, where a large crowd was on hand for Veterans Day activities.
 As he has done for more than 20 years, retired Navy Cmdr. Jim Grunke, along with other veterans in uniform from all branches of the armed forces, led an annual ceremony at Weiser High School.
 The 30-minute event began with a musical tribute to all of the branches of the military by the WHS band led by Jake Fortin. The medley incorporated the themes from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
 Grunke, who had a total of 37 years of military service, also gave a short history lesson on the origin of Veterans Day, which used to be called Armistice Day. In 1947 it became Veterans Day and in 1978 the date was officially declared as Nov. 11.
 The program at the high school also included reading of the names of Washington County residents who died in all wars dating back to World War I, the end of which took place 101 years ago on Nov. 11, 1918. Following the “roll call of honor,” John Hoff played Taps on his trumpet.
 It was a busy day for Grunke and members of the veterans colorguard. In addition to the program at the high school, they visited Weiser Middle School, Park Intermediate School and wrapped up the day at Pioneer Elementary School.
 Following the high school event, many local veterans and residents gathered at the Weiser Senior and Community Center at noon for a Veterans Day ceremony and lunch.
 Four local veterans were each presented with a handmade Quilt of Valor. The recipients included Frank McGuire (Navy), Lyle Hill (Air Force), Juan Huerta (Army) and Clarence Smith (Army).
 The quilts were stitched by a group of quilters that includes Connie Lang, Barbara Goff, Linda Smith and Trina Leininger. A total of 70 handmade quilts have been presented to Washington County veterans since May of 2014.
 Patriotic music was provided by Ella Terry, 13, who played her guitar and sang Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American.” Ella then joined with her mom, Kami, who played the fiddle, for a medley of songs from each branch of the armed forces.
 “It’s so nice to have young people involved with our Quilts of Valor programs,” quilter Barb Goff said.
 Students from Weiser High School helped serve meals at the senior center. A “flag cake” made with strawberries, blueberries and white frosting was on display.
 The veterans in uniform that presented the program at the high school also did a similar ceremony at the senior center.
 Grunke offered some somber numbers to contemplate on the dead from all of the nation’s wars.
 Grunke said the flag presentation at the senior center was in honor of Ken Webb, a Korean War veteran who served in a MASH unit and recently moved away from Weiser.
 For the sixth year, the Weiser Elks Lodge served a free meal to veterans and their spouses. The Veterans Day lunch at the lodge was followed by a patriotic program.