VFW Post 1 Commemorates 116th Anniversary

Lt Col Barry Bridger (Ret) asked a poignant question at the VFW First Post 116th anniversary dinner: what is it about service men and women who survive the crucible of war and return with honor?

There’s a special quality about fighters who defend our country. We’ve seen it in first responders, we see it in prisoners of war, we see it in those who return with battle scars, mental and physical. Yet we see it, time and time again.

Mr. Bridger was one of several prisoners of war present at the VFW dinner at the Brown Palace Sunday night, including Mike McGrath and Orson Swindle, all spending several years in the “Hanoi Hilton.” He gave a resounding speech about integrity, values and strength of character.

Speaking of which, everywhere guests turned there were honored guests. Medal of Honor recipients Drew Dix and Hiroshi Miyamura were in attendance. MOH recipient George “Joe” Sakato, who just passed last week, was fondly remembered by attendees and commemorated by 12 blue roses (daughter Leslie was in attendance). Donald Sturm received the Citizen of the Year award. Captain Christopher Cassidy received the Jack Swigert Aeronautical and Astronautical award, with Captain Scott Kelly joining by video from the International Space Station. Freddie Sprankel was named the Ray Starkey Member of the Year. Julian Scadden received the Irving Hale award for his work at the bedside of dying veterans, called the 11th hour. Post Commander Michael Mitchel gave the Commander’s Award to Dyanna Aragon and her daugther Sierra in honor of Pete Aragon, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

And as if all this wasn’t enough to portray the incredible amount of honor present in the room, guests got a special treat in meeting Rob O’Neill, Navy SEAL Team Six member who stormed the compound in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden and also was part of the team who rescued Captain Richard Phillips. O’Neill had the crowd laughing out loud as he talked about some of the surprises he encountered in SEAL training, and gave a rare glimpse into the camaraderie that exists on military missions. One has to wonder how he keeps his mind busy after days like that.

The VFW program stated “we reaffirm our commitment to support the men and women currently in uniform, veterans from all walks of life, our patriotic organization and the United States of America.” There’s no doubt that our freedom is in good hands.