Service members past and present share experiences

by Airman 1st Class Omari Bernard
JBER Public Affairs

11/18/2013 - PALMER, Alaska -- Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's 3rd Operations Support Squadron braved hazardous road conditions to give thanks to the men and women of the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers' Home on Veterans Day.

The facility in Palmer was built in 1971 on the former site of the Alaska State Fairgrounds, and used to be known as Eden Alternatives Home.

The Alaska legislature approved development of the state's first veterans' home in May 2004.

Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Roberts, 3rd OSS first sergeant, organized and gathered eager volunteers from the 3rd OSS to attend the ceremony more than an hour away from the base.

"The 3rd OSS has been coming out to this event for years," Roberts said. "For just having a major snowstorm yesterday, the turnout was still pretty good. Any time we can reconnect with any of the veterans is an important event."

Seventy-five percent of the 79 beds in the home are designated for veterans,
and 25 percent are available for non-veterans.

The Alaska Veterans and Pioneers' Home houses more than 40 veterans who have fought in multiple wars and and from multiple branches of service.

"We have veterans here that served all the way back to World War II," Roberts said.
Before the ceremony, current and prior service members discussed their experiences in the military and what Veterans Day means to them.

"It's important to come out," said Chief Master Sgt. John Rozell, 3rd OSS superintendent. "Look at their sacrifice; to me it's worth braving the snow and roads to get out here.

"Veterans Day means to me, reflecting on our service and honoring what our past warriors have done for their country," Rozell said. "I'm always humbled when someone thanks me for my service."

After spending some time talking with residents, the ceremony opened with words from Mrs. Celia Conrad, the activities director for the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home.

"We are here today to honor our service members for the sacrifices that they have made and the courage it takes to defend honor, duty and country," Conrad said. "We stand in the midst of patriots and the families of those who have served. Thank you for answering the call of duty."

During the ceremony Girl Scout Troop #75 presented the state and national flags.

Veterans young and old rose from their seats and stood as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Alaska Senator Ed Willis, also a veteran.

The ceremony continued with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a message from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and a poem written by a veteran.

Conrad spoke again about the importance of the ceremony as it concluded. "This is a tribute to those that have fallen and the families who have lost," she said. "This is a way to say we remember. From the Soldiers who shivered and starved at Valley Forge, the doughboys crouched in the trenches of France, the platoons that patrolled the hazy jungles of Vietnam, and the young men and women patrolling the mountains in Afghanistan, we remember and honor them all."