|
Register Staff
11-13-2008 Big Pine celebrated Veteran’s Day with a fitting ceremony for servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty.
The culmination of an idea that was hatched a decade ago finally became reality this past Tuesday, as the Veterans Memorial in Big Pine was dedicated along side a Veterans Day ceremony.
The morning opened with remarks from American Legion Post Commander Earl Wilson welcoming the crowd, then acknowledging the Big Pine citizens who helped create the memorial, especially the main “hub” of volunteers, Margie Steele, Barbara Marzano, Jim Harlice, Greg Knight and Jim “Acorn” Westervelt.
Also in attendance were a number of local dignitaries and special guests, such as the Pickel Meadows Marine Base Color Guard, Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze, Inyo County Sheriff’s Lt. Randy Geiger (whose son, Cpl.Wayne Geiger, died in combat last year), Judge Dean Stout, Judge Brian Lamb, veterans from local organizations, and a variety of California Highway Patrol officers, Sheriff’s and California Department of Forestry personnel.
One of the highlights of the highlight-filled event was a fly-over by a pair of F-18 fighters from China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center.
It was noted that late Big Pine resident Scott Wilson first thought up the idea of a Veterans Memorial in his home town. A few years ago Big Pine erected three flag poles at the corner of U.S. 395 and State Route 168, and the town is now somewhat well-known by truckers and travelers for its very large American flag.
Now, 10 years later, Wilson’s idea has come full circle to include the memorial as well as the flag poles.
The memorial consists of a cement entry-way leading to a shale wall with six seals, one each for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Prisoners of War.
Finally, on top of the wall are two steel viewing cylinders, giving visitors an opportunity to pick out the prominent Sierra peaks west of Big Pine.
The “hub of five” actually began the project early this past summer, but halted work when it was discovered that a portion of the memorial sat on Los Angeles Department of Water and Power land.
After a brief lull DWP gave its OK and leased the small parcel of land in question to the Big Pine Civic Club for $1 a year, renewable every five years.
Work then restarted in mid-October and was completed before its target date, Veterans Day.
In addition to the dedication on Tuesday in Big Pine, Bishop held a Veterans Day service at the Pioneer Cemetery off West Line Street.
The 20-minute ceremony was attended by about 30 people, including ladies from the VFW Auxiliary, and featured a color guard from Bishop VFW Post 8988.
After the service, adjourned to the VFW Post on Short Street for a barbecued hamburger and hot dog lunch, including potato salad and drinks.
A number of people who attended the Big Pine ceremony, which lasted about an hour, finally arrived to round out the day’s celebrations.
|
