Approximately 40 residents at Mesa Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care enjoyed a tribute to the resident veterans. Allysa Plant, director of life enrichment, and Rod Clousing, who served for 22 years as an artillery man, handed out certificates of service and pins to veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. “It is an honor to be here,” Clousing commented. “We are all connected by a military thread.”

Mike Benham and Shannon Garza from Canyon Home Care and Hospice read poems. Garza’s poem was a tribute to her father, who suffered from illness due to Agent Orange. Benham, originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Mesquite in 2010 from New Jersey. He and his wife, Debbie, are Mesquite’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Debbie, “the heart and soul” of the Parade of Lights Food Drive, was responsible for collecting over 21,000 pounds of food last year.

After the certificates were handed out, Karen Weigand entertained the residents by playing the accordion. Plant and the staff distributed ice cream to the residents.

All agreed that this informal ceremony is about making sure the veterans’ service is not forgotten and the residents feel seen and valued. It is one way of giving back to the men and women who gave so much for our country’s freedom.