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March 28, 2024 5:22 pm
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Honoring Those Who Served

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

Veterans from the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion led the parade down the main street of Overton on Monday, Nov. 11. PHOTO BY JASON ANDRUS/Moapa Valley Progress.

Veteran’s Day in Moapa Valley was celebrated, as is tradition, by a parade in downtown Overton honoring those who serve. The parade included 31 various entries including floats, vehicles, bands, cheerleaders and dancers that marched proudly down the main street on Monday morning, Nov. 11.
But who were those that served? And what were their stories?

Leading the parade was a Veteran’s Color Guard was made up five of Moapa Valley’s revered veterans.
Jerry Johnson served in the Army as a radio-telephone operator for the recon group in Vietnam for two years.

Josh Slight served in the Army as a helicopter mechanic in Iraq for one year. For five more years he served stateside in the California National Guard.

Darrell Moffatt served in the Marine Corp. for 3 years as a machine gunner out of Camp Pendleton.

Darcy Bushman served 11 years in the Army as a combat engineer/truck driver in Operation Desert Storm. As such, he was in several explosions when driving to Forward Operating Bases. Larry Griffith served in the Air Force and the Army for a total of 28 years. He served 6 years overseas in the Pacific Arena and then stateside as an Intelligence Officer.

These men proudly carried the flags as the parade made its way down Moapa Valley Blvd.

The Picnic in the Park MC’s, Dr. Bret Staley, Bob Kuczera and guest Geri Hunt from the Las Vegas Veterans Hospital. PHOTO BY CATHERINE ELLERTON/Moapa Valley Progress.

Following them were the Grand Marshals – Harland (Bud) Bonham and Don Miller. Miller served during World War II with the Army Engineers. He served all over Europe for three years. He has been member of the VFW for 10 years. Miller said that he felt “…every youth should join the service for at least two years. The discipline they gain will benefit them the rest of their lives.”
Harland (Bud) Bonham also served during World War II.

The next float was the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Among the veterans on that float were a father/son unit – Wally and Ley Soltis. Wally served in the Army for two years during World War II. He was sent to Okinawa and Korea and he laughingly stated that by the time he got there the war was over! Ley was in the Naval Air Force in Vietnam for 4 years. He served in Cameron Bay at the Air Force Base.

In the Metro police vehicles were several veterans who are still serving their country in law enforcement: Officers Otto Foster (Army Veteran), Chris Kohntopp (Marine Veteran) and Cory Estes (Air Force Veteran).

Local veterans ride together in a float during the Veterans Day Parade held on Monday in downtown Overton. PHOTO BY JASON ANDRUS/Moapa Valley Progress.

The parade that continued down the boulevard were the colorful floats of local businesses and churches; the area school’s dance teams, cheer teams and the MV High School Band playing patriotic music such as “Grand Old Flag.” There were the 4-H Clubs whose members brought their dogs, lambs and horses; several awesome classic cars; and, of course, the huge Simplot Silica equipment followed by the MV Fire District vehicles.

Immediately after the parade, community members adjourned to the Overton park for a picnic. This opened with the ‘display of the colors,’ the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Jones Family kids, the National Anthem sung by Rachel Garcia and a short prayer of gratitude and thanks.

Food for the picnic was provided by members of the MV Chamber of Commerce and cooked up by the members of the Moapa Valley Rotary Club.

Masters of ceremonies for the event were Dr. Bret Staley, Robert Kuczera (Biker Bob) and guest Geri Hunt.

Ms. Hunt was here from the Las Vegas Veteran’s Hospital. She was with the Marines for 11 years – a Desert Storm Veteran serving in Saudi Arabia as an Administrator with the 10th Marines. She was present to award the new Vietnam Commemorative Pin to Vietnam Veterans.

Biker Bob was there to honor the veterans with commemorative automotive gifts and to bring the audience’s attention to the Middle East Conflict’s Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois. This wall was privately built by bikers 18 years ago and by Marseilles trade people. It currently contains over 8,000 names of servicemen and women who have lost their lives in worldwide conflicts since 1979. In June of every year thousands of bikers ride to the Wall to raise money to continue to engrave the names of the fallen.

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