Veterans Day observances planned this weekend in Pahrump area

As with every year in the valley, there are varied observances for Veterans Day in the community.

Once such event, on Saturday, Nov. 10, will be held at the G.I. USA store at 150 South Highway 160, unit A-4, just a few yards from the north-side entrance of Albertsons supermarket.

The 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., observation is a perennial favorite among area veterans and the community at large, judging from past Veterans Day events.

Owners George and Cindi Vroenen have arranged for free entertainment and raffle prizes for a few lucky attendees, along with free food for veterans.

“There will be many local organizations participating,” Cindi Vroenen said. “We’ll also have some great prizes available and great information on Saturday. We also want to invite the community in to see our new items for the holiday gift-giving season with lots of special prices.”

Also on Saturday, Nov. 10, members of the Pahrump Valley High School’s music department are hosting a veterans concert.

Admission to the 2 p.m. event is a few canned food items.

For attendees, raffle tickets, tacos and authentic Mexican horchatas will be up for sale.

All proceeds benefit the school’s music department.

As both Saturday events precede Nov. 11, which is the actual Veterans Day date, members of the Pahrump Marine Corps League are hosting its official Veterans Day observance at the Pahrump Veterans Memorial at Chief Tecopa Cemetery on Sunday.

The site is located adjacent to the Pahrump Community Library, 701 East St.

Organizer Jose Telles said the 11 a.m. special service will include a dog tag placing ceremony, a presentation of colors and an opening prayer.

Telles began his military career back in 1953 when he enlisted in the Marines.

He retired in 1978, after serving two tours in Vietnam.

“We will also have several speakers on hand,” this Sunday, Telles said. “One of the most important parts of our event is that we are asking the community to be with us for a social hour where we will have some little sandwiches inside of the all-purpose building here at Chief Tecopa Cemetery Veterans Memorial. This is a community event hosted by the Marine Corps League. We hope everyone can get here by 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, because right at 11 a.m., we will toll the bell 11 times, in remembrance of the signing of the Armistice Treaty.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10054 will also host a Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the post, 4651 Homestead Road.

Later that evening, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #15 will host a Veterans Day Sundown Service at the Chief Tecopa Cemetery Veterans Memorial, on East Street next to the Pahrump Community Library.

Both events are open to the entire community.

Reporter Robin Hebrock contributed to this story.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. Follow @sharrispvt on Twitter.