With almost five years of service in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, Tom Kamm says Veterans Day is particularly important.
Kamm, founder of All Veterans Funeral and Cremation in Wheat Ridge, recognizes the beauty of the community coming together this Veterans Day, and every day, to honor those who served.
“It’s an honor day. It’s a day to remember and to honor, and a day to think about what we got — our wonderful, wonderful freedoms—and to protect them and to keep them,” said Kamm. “There are a lot of guys who have laid down their lives for freedom: They believed in the flag and what America means. It’s hard not to want to help them be remembered.”
It’s easy to hear the passion in Kamm’s voice as he talks about his fellow servicemen.
“We’re all proud of being veterans. We’re all brothers. It doesn’t matter if you were in the Air Force or Marine Corps., we’re all brothers.”
To honor Kamm, and the rest of the veterans in the area, communities have organized events to show their gratitude.
Arvada
Community members are encouraged to invite a veteran for an appreciation walk at 9 a.m. Saturday.
There will be two walk locations: one within Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, 9210 W. 80th Ave., led by Mayor Pro Tem Mark McGoff; and one at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., led by naturalist Dudley Weiland.
The walks are intended as time out of busy schedules to reflect on what Veterans Day represents, while given the chance to say “thank you” and spend time with a veteran (or veterans).
Additionally, the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 5340 Marshall St. will be serving a meal of mashed potatoes, hot dogs, pork and sauerkraut from 1-8 p.m. Nov. 10-11.
And each year the city of Arvada honors its employees who have served in the military. The ceremony, headed by the American Legion in Arvada, is a way to commemorate veterans’ patriotism, sacrifice and willingness to serve. It will feature a rifle salute as the flag is raised.
Ed Shreeve, commander of Arvada’s American Legion and veteran of the Air Force, thinks the ceremony is a great way to honor city employees.
“We’re here to support our veterans, and there are a lot of veterans that work for the city of Arvada. We’re here to help veterans in any way that we can,” Shreeve said.
The 7:30 a.m. salute will be at Arvada City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road, on Nov. 11; members of the community are welcome to join city employees for this outdoor event.
Westminster
Bar Louie, located in the Westminster Promenade at 10655 Westminster Blvd., is continuing its annual tradition of offering veterans a free meal Nov. 10-11.
“We’ve done it for the past few years now,” said Nate Myers, manager of Bar Louie. “It has always been in Bar Louie’s best interest as a company to take care of the community that we live in and the veterans that fight for this country.”
Bar Louie will cover the tab up to $12 for anyone with a valid military ID.
Many national restaurant offer meal deals to veterans in honor of the holiday. Check websites or call local outlets for details.
Wheat Ridge
All Veterans Funeral and Cremation is honoring veterans throughout November, as they do all year.
“We’re doing 20 events, and we’re honoring hundreds of veterans in the metro area,” said Jill Ross, manager of community relations.
The facility is partnering with senior living communities in the area to honor their veterans. The company brings its military liaison, Capt. David Schermerhorn, U.S. Army, to salute, commend and bestow a ribbon pin on each veteran. Afterward, attendees celebrate with cake. All Veterans has about 20 pinning ceremonies planned.
To set up a pinning ceremony for a veteran, contact Jill Ross at jross@allstatescremation.com.
Catherine Elsby: celsby@denverpost.com
Updated Nov. 6, 2015 at 5:15 p.m. This article has been revised to reflect the following correction. Originally, due to a reporter’s error, the date for the City of Arvada Veteran’s event was incorrect. It is Nov. 11.
