Murphys, CA…The Ebbetts Pass Veterans Memorial District’s Veterans Day Celebration was back yesterday two year Covid hiatus! As always one of the highlights was the wonderful Veterans Day speeches and essays from 5th Graders at Albert Michelson Elementary School. The Guest Speaker was Major General Andrew Juknelis Major General Andrew J. Juknelis lives here in the Sierra Foothills. The Walking Man from Murphys Ric Ryan gave and update on Operation Mend and the over $160,000 he has raised for the cause. Great music from the Calaveras Community Band and beautiful solos of the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America.

Numbers of the Greatest Generation continue to drop as this year there was only one WWII veteran and one Korean War Veterans present. A sad reminder that the last living legends that ensured freedom not only for us but the entire world are leaving us and entering the history books.

If you needed a day that celebrated the selflessness, courage and fortitude of those who served that we could remain free then this day restored your faith in our past, present and future.

A bit more about Major General Andrew Juknelis. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hourglass and “M” Device, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, and the Order of National Security Cheonsu Medal (Korea).

Thank You to the EPVMD for putting on this program every year!