veterans

Wreath bearers present wreaths for fallen comrades, brothers and sisters in arms during a Memorial Day ceremony at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday. Laying wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes is a way to honor and remember the sacrifices made. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Traditional Memorial Day ceremonies offer new ways to ‘never forget’ those who served

New installations at memorial sites, fresh words of reminder shared by hundreds gathering in Juneau.

 

John Phillips (left) and Roger Sheakley salute the colors during the opening of the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans’ observance of Veterans Day on Saturday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Trio of observances for Juneau’s veterans share tributes in distinctly different ways

Annual events honor those serving during wars, seeking peace and preserving Alaska Native heritage.

 

Juneau Veterans for Peace President Craig Wilson, left, watches a procession of fellow veterans and others ring the Liberty Bell replica in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2022, during an annual Armistice Day observation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Three annual events honoring veterans scheduled Saturday

Armistice Day bell ringing at Capitol; Veterans Day events at Centennial Hall and EPH.

 

Chuck Caldwell, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, lays a wreath on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars Taku Post 5559 at the base of the flagpole at Evergreen Cemetery in observance of Memorial Day on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the true meaning of sacrifice

Memorial Day observations in Juneau see hundreds pay tribute to those who serve and persevere

Chuck Caldwell, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, lays a wreath on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars Taku Post 5559 at the base of the flagpole at Evergreen Cemetery in observance of Memorial Day on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Senate unanimously passes its first bill of the current legislative session Wednesday, sponsored by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, lower left. The bill makes disabled military veterans residing in Alaska eligible for free trapping licenses in addition to hunting and fishing, and makes free service-related licenses for all three activities permanent instead of annual. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Senate quickly falls for veterans’ traps

Juneau lawmaker’s bill giving disabled vets lifetime trapping licenses is first to pass floor vote.

The Alaska State Senate unanimously passes its first bill of the current legislative session Wednesday, sponsored by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, lower left. The bill makes disabled military veterans residing in Alaska eligible for free trapping licenses in addition to hunting and fishing, and makes free service-related licenses for all three activities permanent instead of annual. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.

Millions of acres are available for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans, but many in Southeast don’t want it

‘We want Southeast Alaska.’

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.
Rob Smith, left, of the American Legion Auke Bay Post 25, and Dan McCrummen, quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign Wars Taku Post 5559, place wreaths Sunday on either side of a memorial for the soldiers killed aboard the USS Juneau after it was sunk by torpedoes on Nov. 13, 1942. The current memorial site for the ship’s namesake town debuted 10 years ago after it was relocated from its original site near Marine Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

USS Juneau memorial honors survivors, sacrifice

Gov. Dunleavy, local veterans among those paying tribute on 80th anniversary of ship’s sinking

Rob Smith, left, of the American Legion Auke Bay Post 25, and Dan McCrummen, quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign Wars Taku Post 5559, place wreaths Sunday on either side of a memorial for the soldiers killed aboard the USS Juneau after it was sunk by torpedoes on Nov. 13, 1942. The current memorial site for the ship’s namesake town debuted 10 years ago after it was relocated from its original site near Marine Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
David Noon, Ron Carver, Mike Wong and John Kent sit together for a roundtable discussion at the University of Southeast Alaska Saturday afternoon to talk about their personal experiences with the war in Vietnam and the traumas and lasting impacts it had on their lives. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Veterans speak candidly about their experiences during Vietnam War at roundtable

“I did not want to kill people,” said Mike Wong, one of the speakers at the event.

David Noon, Ron Carver, Mike Wong and John Kent sit together for a roundtable discussion at the University of Southeast Alaska Saturday afternoon to talk about their personal experiences with the war in Vietnam and the traumas and lasting impacts it had on their lives. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Southeast Alaska Native Veterans carry flags as they walk to the stage at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Veterans Day Friday. A ceremony and luncheon were hosted in commemoration and honor of those who served and continue to serve in the U.S. military. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s good that we can all come together’: Veterans Day observances held in Juneau

Three events took place in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Southeast Alaska Native Veterans carry flags as they walk to the stage at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Veterans Day Friday. A ceremony and luncheon were hosted in commemoration and honor of those who served and continue to serve in the U.S. military. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard color guard presents the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Evergreen Cemetery on May 30, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Veteran groups hold Memorial Day ceremonies

Sunny Memorial Monday.

A Coast Guard color guard presents the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Evergreen Cemetery on May 30, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)

50 years after ANCSA, some still fighting for land

The five landless communities and Vietnam veterans were left landless by the act.

This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)
Ivan Nance, a Coast Guard veteran, is one of the people enrolled in Southeast Alaska Independent Living’s Veterans’ Options for Independence, Choice and Empowerment, a program designed to give more control to veterans over how their caregiving is delivered. (Courtesy photo / Ivan Nance)

SAIL seeking to expand high-level veteran care program

The program gives veterans with a high need of care more control over their own affairs.

Ivan Nance, a Coast Guard veteran, is one of the people enrolled in Southeast Alaska Independent Living’s Veterans’ Options for Independence, Choice and Empowerment, a program designed to give more control to veterans over how their caregiving is delivered. (Courtesy photo / Ivan Nance)
Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Veteran suicide prevention group holds inaugural march

A walk across the bridge with good conversation is a little easier than 22km with a packed ruck.

Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Veterans and active duty servicemembers carry the totem pole on July 24, 2021 as hundreds gathered in Hoonah for its raising. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah honors veterans with totem pole, future memorial park

From the Alaska Territorial Guard to today’s servicemembers, the Southeast has a legacy of service.

Veterans and active duty servicemembers carry the totem pole on July 24, 2021 as hundreds gathered in Hoonah for its raising. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: Totem pole honoring veterans raised in Hoonah

Hundreds gather for ceremony.

Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State sues feds over continuing land restrictions

Veteran lands available, DOI says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5559 junior vice commander David Carroll, nearer, and post service officer Tom Armstrong, further, salute during a Memorial Day ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery on May 31, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Rain does little to dampen larger-than-usual Memorial Day ceremony

Many gathered at Evergreen Cemetery to honor America’s war dead.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5559 junior vice commander David Carroll, nearer, and post service officer Tom Armstrong, further, salute during a Memorial Day ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery on May 31, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Craig Wilson, president of the Juneau chapter of Veterans for Peace, stands in front of the bell at the Alaska State Capitol as Juneau residents prepare to ring it in honor of Armistice Day, as Veterans Day was previously known on Nov. 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Group commemorates Armistice Day, embraces peace

They decry the spectacle they say Veterans Day has become.

Craig Wilson, president of the Juneau chapter of Veterans for Peace, stands in front of the bell at the Alaska State Capitol as Juneau residents prepare to ring it in honor of Armistice Day, as Veterans Day was previously known on Nov. 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Coalition helps VA start suicide prevention program

Coalition helps VA start suicide prevention program

The program will be VA backed and veteran-led and informed.

Coalition helps VA start suicide prevention program
Courtesy photo / Tom Dawson From left to right, Kirk Thorsteinson, Tom Dawson, Howard Colbert, and Tim Armstrong gather for Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day at the American Legion Post in Juneau. The holiday us held on the third Friday of every September to remember the more than 81,900 missing American service members.

American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars gather for POW/MIA Recognition Day

More than 81,900 Americans never returned from our many wars.

Courtesy photo / Tom Dawson From left to right, Kirk Thorsteinson, Tom Dawson, Howard Colbert, and Tim Armstrong gather for Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day at the American Legion Post in Juneau. The holiday us held on the third Friday of every September to remember the more than 81,900 missing American service members.