Darold Schmidt recently passed away, but last Veterans Day the Parker resident was among two U.S. military veterans by the local rotary club.
“He signed up for the Army after Pearl Harbor. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp,” recalled Jim Boyd, a Rotary Club of Parker member who helped organize last year’s ceremony. This week his club will honor another group of local veterans in advance of the Veterans Day holiday.
“Our purpose for doing this is to express our appreciation and gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Boyd said.
The is not the only group honoring America’s veterans over the next week. There are several public events taking place across Douglas County for those who wish to participate.
Parker
The Rotary Club ceremony will take place in the conference center of Parker Adventist Hospital, 9395 Crown Crest Blvd., beginning at 7 a.m. today, Nov. 5, Boyd said. There will be a presentation of the colors by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a musical performance by the Parker Rotary Minstrels.
Bob Kramer, who served in World War II and the Korean War, will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Boyd said. Kramer and fellow veterans Evan Totten and John Layne will be recognized at the ceremony and presented with a plaque from Parker Mayor Mike Waid, Boyd said.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Parker’s will host a reception from 7:30 to 9 a.m., according to school officials. The school at 12130 Canterberry Parkway is inviting any area veteran to attend. RSVPs to Tracy Rizuto at 720-433-1336.
Castle Rock
The county seat will host its annual Veterans Day tribute beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The ceremony will be held at the Douglas County Veterans Monument, 301 Wilcox St.
The is co-hosting the event with the . It will be held in front of the eagle-adorned monument placed in downtown Castle Rock as a constant reminder of the sacrifices of America’s servicemen and servicewomen.
There will be a musical performance and remarks from several of community figures including Iraq War veteran and 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler.
“I think it’s an event to show veterans appreciation for their many sacrifices they have contributed over the years they were in the armed services,” said David Maxwell, Douglas County’s veterans service officer, a board member for the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation and an Army veteran of more than 20 years.
Highlands Ranch
will hold two performances in honor of Veterans Day, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday at South Suburban Christian Church, 7275 S. Broadway, according to band President Kelley Messall. The all-volunteer band will perform in conjunction with the adult choir, as well as a kids choir from Northridge Elementary School.
The band is also collecting donations for local veterans on its website, .
On Nov. 11, an ensemble from the Highlands Ranch Concert Band will provide music at Veterans Day celebration at the James H. LaRue Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.
The library is alongside the outdoor Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument in Civic Green Park, but will take place inside, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to avoid weather issues, said Kari Larese, community relations coordinator for the Highlands Ranch Metro District.
Larese’s husband, Stefan, is an Air Force veterans who served in Pakistan and Afghanistan after 9/11. The couple’s son was born while he was stationed overseas, she said.
“This is very personal to me and my family,” Larese said. “I think it’s also important to honor the sacrifices of the spouses, parents and children of the men and women who serve in our military.”
Joe Rubino: 303-954-2953, jrubino@denverpost.com or @RubinoJC
