By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Veterans Memorial Park in Mesquite was filled on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with more than sixty masked attendees that showed up to honor local Veterans.
A special Veterans Day ceremony was led by Mesquite Mayor Al Litman, a veteran himself. The Mayor expressed his delight at the size of the group in attendance.
“In the 14 years I have been doing this ceremony, this is the largest turnout,” Litman said.
“We should always recognize this day,” Litman said in his brief remarks. “If it were not for the veterans who served and fought for our freedoms, we would not be where we are today in America. And without you (the audience) we won’t be able to reach where we could be tomorrow. We celebrate this day because without them there would be no land of the free.”
The Grand Marshal of the 2020 Veterans Day festivities was announced as Mary Lou Ashe. Ashe served as Corporal in the United States Marine Corps between 1956-1959.
Ashe, a Mesquite resident, has been part of the honor Guard for several years. Even though the parade could not be held this year due to COVID restrictions, the Veterans Day committee felt that a Grand Marshall should still be honored. This being the 100-year celebration of Women, it was especially fitting the Grand Marshall be a woman.
“Military veterans were not the only patriotic service people that should be recognized,” said Ashe in a brief speech. “Firefighters and medical personnel are all there to protect and safeguard us and should be recognized also.”
Ashe said that she had been surprised to be nominated as Grand Marshall. The criteria for the honorary position includes being a veteran and being active in the community.
“I do fill both of those requirements,” Ashe said. “I was touched at the salute in the park for all those who went before us and for those who will come after.”
Participating in the ceremony was bugler Carylon Whaley of Las Vegas. This was Whaley’s seventeenth year travelling to Mesquite to celebrate Veterans day.
“I am proud to come to Mesquite, to play the bugle and honor our veterans,” Whaley said.
Local resident Dennis Hangey also performed at the ceremony playing his bagpipes. “I am proud to attend these services and do my small part,” Hangey said. “All veterans should be honored.”
The Mesquite Honor Guard, under the Command of Paul LeVan, gave its gun salute. Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by Janet McDonald. The invocation was given by Shelly Piper of the Mesquite Elks Lodge.
