Reflecting on Veterans Day

GRANTS, N.M. — Thursday, November 11, is Veterans Day, veterans in Grants will be honored at Friendship Park in Grants, then at the Fire and Ice Park, and finally the event will culminate at the American Legion Post 80 in Grants. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park.

The Cibola Citizen sat down with three local veterans to ask them about this upcoming holiday to celebrate our veterans.

Ben Griego, an Air Force veteran was a First-Class rank when he retired from the Air Force.

Cibola Citizen: What would you like to see for our vets on Veterans Day?

Ben Griego: “I wish the veterans would get more respect. I am a Vietnam veteran. Just honor the veterans”

Cibola Citizen: What does this holiday mean to you?

Ben Griego: “I am very proud to be a veteran and this holiday means a lot to me”

Cibola Citizen: How do our local veteran groups aid our veterans?

Ben Griego: “I belong to all the veteran groups like D.A.V., V.F.W. and the American Legion. They are a great support system for the veterans”

Dawn Marie Belill an Air Force veteran was an E1 rank when he retired from the Air Force.

Cibola Citizen: What would you like to see for our vets on Veterans Day?

Dawn Marie Belill: “We sign up to go take care of the country and to protect it. Some die for it and the veterans do not get the recognition they deserve. They are heroes. They are more heroes than athletes and celebrities. We just need to honor all our vets and take care of them.”

Cibola Citizen: What does this holiday mean to you?

Dawn Marie Belill: “I feel proud that there is a day that honors the vets. It makes me feel proud to know that I served my country. I am very proud to be an American and to have served.”

Cibola Citizen: How do our local veteran groups aid our veterans?

Dawn Marie Belill: “These veteran groups like the American Legion, and VFW take care of the vets and they are special places.”

Cibola Citizen: What would you like to say to Americans on this day?

Dawn Marie Belill: “To wake up. If we didn’t have our veterans and soldiers, we would not have the country we have. The veterans fought and died for our way of life. America needs to take care of their vets.”

John Easton a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1958-1963

Cibola Citizen: What would you like to see for our vets on Veterans Day?

John Easton: “Do honor the veterans. Freedom is not cheap. There is a price that goes along with it. The veterans are here to protect the country. Look at the veterans a little different than what you did yesterday.”

Cibola Citizen: What does this holiday mean to you?

John Easton: “I use veterans’ day to reflect on my family. All of my family have served in the military.”

Cibola Citizen: What would you like to say to Americans on this day?

John Easton: “Only in America. This country is so great and there is so much help for us veterans. They are taking caring of me. “I love Grants, it’s the city of spirit. We honor and love our city and our veterans. We veterans will die for our country. Serve your country. The Military has a job for you, and you get your education. I don’t know where this country is going. But I know we can get through it.”

The Cibola Citizen will have more interviews with local veterans in the November 17 edition.