INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and#8212; On behalf of the veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces in the Northern Nevada and Northeastern California area, but especially those in the Northern Lake Tahoe region I would like to say thank you to all the individuals and organizations that joined together to honor us, the veterans and our service during this Independence Day observation. I wonand#8217;t try to name all the people and organizations who contributed to this event. To those who I donand#8217;t mention and#8212; my apologies; but also our sincere thanks!
First and foremost we would like to thank the Red, White and Tahoe Blue Festival Team. Under the leadership of Jim Smith, with the able assistance of Greg McKay and the rest of the committee and#8212; Lee Weber-Koch, Bea Epstein, Shelia Leijon, Jim Hammerel, Will Brigham, Tom Bruno, Robin Glasgow and Daren McDonald and#8212; they accomplished an amazing eight days of celebration and tribute to our veterans.
Our thanks go to LifePoint Church of Incline Village for sponsoring the Veterans Tribute on Incline Beach on the 4th, and the Veteransand#8217; Luncheon at Aspen Grove on the 7th, after the parade. Special thanks go to the ground and flight crews and the parachute jumpers of the USAF California Air National Guard who put on such spectacular demonstrations.
I canand#8217;t forget to mention General Joe Shaefer, USAF (Ret.) and our Parade Grand Marshal, Chief Master Sergeant Bob Wheeler, USAF (Ret.) who pulled the necessary strings to arrange for the demo. Also noteworthy was the continual contributions made by the AmeriCorps volunteers who were tireless in their efforts; much of the time under the radar.
On the morning of 7 July the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Veteransand#8217; Club was proud to sponsor the Flag Raising ceremony at the Main Firehouse, hosted by the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District., and conducted by Boy Scout Troop 37. Thanks to Troop 37 for a professional hoisting of the national colors.
That evening the Club also sponsored the Flag Retirement ritual. The ceremonial retirement was hosted by the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe on the beach in front of the Lone Eagle Grille. Again, the ceremony was conducted by Boy Scout Troop 37 of Incline Village and Crystal Bay and supported by the NLTFPD; certainly this was the most moving event of the week. Nobody needed to be ashamed of the tears as the flames consumed the flags and the stories that were told of the particular meaning to each donor of their and#8220;Old Glory.and#8221;
A special thanks to all of you who support the Vetsand#8217; Club throughout the year. Not just on Memorial Day and Independence Day, but every day as we endeavor to be a conduit to provide help to the IV High School JROTC and to our fellow veterans in the VA Hospital in Reno and in the Veterans Guest House and those in the local area who just need a helping hand. Thank you, Incline Village and Crystal Bay community.
and#8212; Jack Schroeder is an Incline Village resident and president of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Veterans Club.
