The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Gillette American Legion Honor Guard carries the flags of nation and state
Each branch of the military is recognized on the sheet cake shared by the 64 guests at the dinner.
The Gillette American Legion Honor Guard respectfully folds the flag as they explain the meaning of each fold.
Many members of the Pine Haven Over the Hill Gang senior group worked together to bring local veterans a celebratory recognition of their contribution to this country and the people who live here Saturday.
Around 52 guests and 22 veterans attended the program and subsequent dinner of roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and a large sheet cake for dessert and, while everyone enjoyed the meal as usual, the program was the hit, drawing veterans and their families even from Gillette.
Each year, the Gang chooses to highlight a different "inside" military ritual to share with the room; this time, the folding of the flag and of challenge coins (a coin given to someone acknowledging their membership in the military or honoring an achievement, according to the Soldiers Project).
One of the event organizers, Chris Bingham, took special note that when the Gillette American Legion Honor Guard demonstrated the folding of the flag and explained the meaning of each fold, "It was insane how absolutely still the room was...total and complete silence."
The MC this year was Colonel Denton Knapp, also of Gillette, who is a 30-year vet and was an Army infantry officer for three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Denton explained the history and meaning of challenge coins in the military.
A challenge coin was handed to each veteran with a thank you card during the event as well. Bingham later said that she had to get advice on the type of coin the group should hand out for the dinner, as, "Presenting people with the wrong coin could actually be offensive; I could have given them something that had to do with ranks that I didn't have the authority to do...There are definite protocols [involved]."
The veterans with whom she spoke still had their coins from their active duty days at hand and were able to tell her where and why they received each one. "They're very important."
Bingham pointed out that many of the senior group members got involved for the dinner. Richard Wilkerson marinated the turkey for days before grilling the bird, Bingham was impressed with the "two or three days" of effort he put into the "excellent" main course while other members of the Gang "baked cookies [and] made food – it was outstanding".
The centerpiece on the table was provided by In-2-U Flowers and Gifts to give a present of their own to the vets.
Three singers from Moorcroft High School music class was also part of the program, singing "Bring him Home" and Homeward Bound".
"Everybody I talked to was happy-pleased with the meal [and] the program, I consider it a great success," according to the organizer. Next year's guests may look forward to another fine repast with comrades and a different and interesting program.
