Lincoln, Placer County celebrate Veterans Day

Thank you for your service is a phrase often said to our military men and women, and it perfectly sums up Veterans Day, a day when we honor all who served, whenever they served, wherever they served. Lincoln has always recognized our military on Veterans Day, but the ceremony took on a new meaning with the 2021 unveiling of the Placer County Veterans Monument in McBean Park. The Monument, built entirely with private and corporate funds on land donated by the city of Lincoln, has now filled seven panels of service members, alive or passed, with direct ties to Lincoln or Placer County or not. This Veterans Day marked the unveiling of panel #7. Saturday, November 11th, was weather-perfect, and several hundred people gathered around the Monument to pay tribute to our veterans. A special flyover by the West Coast Ravens aerial demonstration team was preceded by the singing of the National Anthem by Lindsey-Bostik-Flanagan and an invocation by Chaplain Rick Kollar. U.S. Congressman Kevin Kiley spoke about the American experience, saying "We are bound together in a joint commitment." Speaking of our veterans, he said "Today we honor and pay tribute to every veteran. For your dedication to your country. For your bravery and heroism. For your service and sacrifice...". Placer County supervisor Shanti Landon relayed the story of Staff Sergeant Roy Benavidez and his unbelievable heroism in combat in Viet Nam in 1968. Landon said "As we look around today, we see faces weathered in time, eyes that have witnessed both the horrors of war and the triumphs of peace. Our veterans are living reminders that freedom is not free, and its cost is paid in the currency of sacrifice..." Wreaths were placed at the center of the Monument area, special recognitions were presented, and a 21-Gun Salute was performed by the VFW/American Legion drill team. Bagpiper Sean Cummins opened and closed the ceremony. After the final sounds of the bagpipe, Panel #7 was unveiled. Veterans Day. A solemn yet uplifting day of remembrance.