Veterans behind Friday's military celebration

DILLON — The Town of Dillon is already trumpeting its first-ever military celebration — “Never Forget: An Evening of Tribute” — on Friday as a tremendous accomplishment. And the holiday-themed celebration is hugely supported by local veterans — more than 10 played big roles in planning it.

Jim Ernst, a Silverthorne resident and a Vietnam Air Force veteran, stressed that Friday's celebration isn't just a party. It will honor military service with a focus on individuals from the Colorado mountain region — deceased and alive, currently serving and veterans.

Though Dillon's Friday event is tied in with Fourth of July festivities, including music and fireworks, there's also a serious side to it.

Harry Owen, a Blue River resident and a U.S. Army veteran, said the event is important because he wants to make sure all the young men and women serving the country are recognized properly.

“I'm involved because I admire the young men and women that are going out and sacrificing their personal lives for what they believe is a greater cause,” Owen said. “These are amazing people. A lot of them don't have legs.”

Owen, along with other vets, will read the names of the young men and women who've lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This is that day that we celebrate and talk about the brothers that didn't come home,” said Tom Torres, a local man and a veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne. Men who played saxophone and soccer — “those are the things that we have to keep remembering.”

Along with Independence Day revelers and Colorado vets, Torres is hosting 10 soldiers at the tribute event. They're from the Warriors Transition Unit at Fort Carson and they'll be enjoying the celebration with their families.

The number of veterans living in the area is unknown, but Ernst said he believes there are at least 100 local people associated with the military, either actual service in the past or someone in the family is currently serving.

Several agencies have tried to compile a list of local people in the military — past and present — but not a lot of people register because they're not looking for glory, Ernst added.

Though glory isn't always being sought, bravery and duty are qualities being celebrated Friday.

“As a veteran, I feel humbled that the community is taking time to honor past and present military members and their families for the daily sacrifices these people have made over the past 200 years in direct support to America,” Ernst said.

And Torres agrees: “This is the land of the free because of the brave. That is more poignant now than ever.”

A full day of activities is set for Dillon's military celebration on Friday

A farmers market is set to run in Dillon Friday morning, and a lakeside market in the Marina Park parking lot by the Dillon Amphitheatre is scheduled from 4-9 p.m. Concessions and

vendors will be at the markets. Beer and wine sold at concession stands will benefit the Dillon Business Association.

The military event officially starts at 5 p.m., Eyes Wide Open, a local band, will perform at 5. Buddy Poppies will be handed out for donations between 5-6 p.m. Volunteers will also register the names of men and women who have served and who are serving in Summit County. Children will hand out American flags to the crowd, and all active duty or retired military people will receive a flag lapel pin.

The military recognition program starts at 6 p.m., and it hosts many speakers, including Summit Cove elementary student Jacob Poehls, an 8-year-old boy who will be interviewed about his Marine pen pal, Sgt. Baltazar Pineda.

Other activities include a color guard, table honors, recognition of vets and those who are enlisted, and Echo Taps, to name a few.

The United States Air Force Academy Band takes the stage at 7:30 p.m., followed by a free fireworks display from behind the Dillon Amphitheatre at 9:15 p.m. It will be choreographed to music and broadcasted on Krystal 93 and public radio.