Palmdale marks Veterans Day with Mobile Wall

by Diane Betzler
staff writer

   Friends, elected officials, community folks and veterans were on hand
Nov. 11 at Marie Kerr Park in Palmdale, Calif., to view the Mobile Viet-
nam Memorial Wall and to thank all veterans for their service and for the
sacrifices they made for their country.

   Hosted by the AV Wall Committee and the City of Palmdale, the celebra-
tion let veterans know their service and sacrifices were and continue to be
appreciated by all who love America.

   Committee speakers Stacia Nemeth and Linda Willis welcomed those
attending the Veterans Day ceremony, and introduced guests taking part
in the celebration.

   The event opened with the Highland High School Air Force Junior
ROTC Cadet Group and the presentation of the colors.

   Mike Bertell, president and outpost leader of Point Man Antelope Val-
ley, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung by Frank
Graves, a 33-year military veteran.

   Bertell thanked everyone for coming out to show their respect for the
country’s military. He reminded everyone that Veterans Day is a day set
aside to celebrate the men and women of the Armed Forces who have
worked to keep our country and other countries free.

   Willis talked about what it took for the community to get a moving
Vietnam memorial. She recalled a failed effort to bring another group’s
wall in to Palmdale for display in 2009 — after which she decided if they
wanted a wall, they’d have to build one of their own.“You must take many
adventures to get where you belong,” she said, telling everyone that reach-
ing your goals often takes thinking outside of the box.

   Nemeth talked about why veterans deserve so much respect. “Some
were drafted, some enlisted, yet those who were drafted didn’t run away,”
she said.

   Talking directly to the veterans in the audience, Nemeth said, “Drafted
or enlisted, you knew going in that there was a chance you may not come
out alive and yet you did it anyway. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart.”

   In an effort to make veterans feel the love and appreciation, the AV

                                                                   See WALL, Page 3

                                                                                                 Photograph by Diane Betzler                                                                                                                                                                                                Photograph by Adrienne King

Stacia Nemeth joined other volunteers in handing out commemorative                                                            Visitors pay their respects at the Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall in Marie Kerr Park, Palmdale, Calif.
Vietnam lapel pins to Vietnam veterans. Nemeth presented each pin with
a hug and a, “Thank you for your service.”

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