Honor all veterans on Veterans Day

I served my country from 1988 through 1994, in the United States Air Force, but when I was younger, I never told people about my service or acknowledged that I am a U.S. Veteran. After 9/11, as many other Americans did, I revitalized my patriotism and have been heavily involved in veteran causes ever since. Serving in the armed forces had much meaning to me and my family because I am a first-generation American and the only female in my large extended family to have served. 

I am currently vice commander for the Maricopa American Legion Post 133.  As vice commander, I have met many Maricopa Veterans, and these individuals are the most fascinating people that I have ever met.  

Every single person that has ever served in the United States military is a veteran and deserves all the respect that we can bestow upon them. Every single person currently serving in our armed forces should also be acknowledged on Veterans Day.

It is my experience that Maricopans have been very welcoming to our veterans. The City of Maricopa made great strides when the old library on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway was dedicated as the Veterans Center in October 2009. 

The Maricopa VFW, American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary are currently housed within the Maricopa Veteran Center. The Veteran Center also has meeting rooms available to the public for a small fee. If you are interested in the meeting rooms or would like more information about joining the VFW, American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary, please visit the Veterans Center Website at www.maricopaveteransctr.org.

Last year I attended a Veterans Day event at Legacy Traditional School and I was extremely impressed and honored by their presentation. I was recently invited to attend this year’s event and was told to extend this invitation to all veterans. Legacy Traditional will be honoring all our veterans this Thursday, Nov. 11 at their school campus, commencing with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a presentation and a fly-over by F-16 fighter jets. 

Maricopa, please take a few minutes of your time on Thursday to thank a Veteran for helping keep our land and our lives free. Thank all our living veterans and take a moment of silence for all of our deceased veterans, many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

Julia Gusse is a Maricopa City Councilmember.

 

 

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