Emery City dedicates veterans monument at cemetery

By ALICE WADLEY staff writer

Mayor Mistie Christiansen welcomed everyone to the dedication of the Emery City veterans memorial. Lisa Gardner sang the national anthem.
Mayor Christiansen thanked Varian Allen for the idea, dream and vision of the veterans memorial. I’m grateful to be an American. I’m proud to raise my kids in America. We have the opportunity to be anything we want to be. We have such a privilege, to vote in America.
Mayor Christiansen shared a quote from President Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I can stand up here and say meaningless words, but I hope by the way I live my life I show my appreciation to our veterans. I appreciate their sacrifice. I’m thankful for their dedication. It was a love instilled in me by my parents and grandparents. I appreciate it as I watch my kids grow up and leave home and their willingness to serve others. I hope my life expresses my gratitute to our veterans.
Jack Christiansen recited the poem, Veteran’s Day by Cheryl Dyson. “On Veteran’s Day we honor all, who answered to a service call. Soldiers young, and soldiers old, fought for freedom, brave and bold. Some have lived, while others died, all of them deserve our pride. We’re proud of all the soldiers who, kept thinking of red, white and blue. They fought for us and all our rights, they fought through many days and nights. And though we may not know each name, we thank all veterans just the same.” Remember our veterans.
Councilman Varian Allen thanked everyone who worked so hard on the memorial. He thanked Mayor Christiansen, Councilman Patrick Sundstrom, Councilman Wiley Pope and Councilwoman Corrine Dalton. I would like to thank my co-worker. He is an engineer. I went to him with the idea and he designed the monument. I want to thank, Tara and Lori. We couldn’t get anything done without them. They pay the bills and order all of the supplies. I appreciate you ladies very much. I want to thank Ken Christiansen. He helped with every aspect of the monument. If I asked him to do something it was done. Ken maintains the cemetery and keeps it looking so nice.
I would also like to thank our businesses who made this memorial possible. Thanks to James Byars and Red Cliff Mining and United Minerals. They poured the cement and provided a crew to make this possible. I want to thank, David Taylor of Live Earth. If you see the evergreen wreaths in the cemetery he provides them every year. Every veteran interred in the cemetery has a wreath thanks to Live Earth.
I want to thank most of all our veterans. They are the ones we are here to honor. We want to honor those who served, who presently serve and those who will serve in the future. Thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. There are many in this cemetery who served and many who served and didn’t make it home. Bishop Gardner dedicated the monument. Emery City provided doughnuts and hot chocolate for all in attendance.