Sandy honors veterans

Sandy Historical Society’s president Wynn Thies and office supervisor Ken Funk were among the thirty veterans honored Tuesday, November 7 in the community’s Veteran Pinning Ceremony for all generations. The event was hosted by the City of Sandy Parks and Recreation department along with Mt. Hood Hospice and was held at the Sandy Senior and Community Center.

Each veteran was honored with a pinning, a certificate, a flag, and an embroidered star from a retired flag. For Viet Nam veterans another pin was also given. Sandy High School’s Pionaires sang for the group. Main speakers were Sandy’s Mayor Stan Pulliam, Bert Key, Jolie Phanton who is the Mt. Hood Hospice Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, and Dennis Parker, the chaplain from Mt. Hood Hospice. The event’s sponsors included Bill’s Automotive Repair Inc., Mt. Hood Senior Living, Michael O’Leary of LegalShield, Oregon Trail Chiropractic, Avamere at Sandy, and Embold Credit Union.

“A Veteran Pinning Ceremony is a way for all of us to honor veterans and thank them for their service to our country,” explained Carolina Smallwood, Client Services Coordinator for the City of Sandy Parks and Recreation. [Photography by Lynn Thies.]