Broomfield celebrates Veterans Day at Veterans Museum

Nov. 11—Families, veterans, active duty and community members gathered at the Veterans Museum Broomfield on Friday morning for a Veterans Day celebration.

Along with all the displays inside the museum, attendees gathered outside to see displays of old military artifacts and listen to performances by the Rocky Mountain Brassworks and Broomfield Civic Chorus throughout the program.

This year's keynote speaker was Marine Col. Jeff Davis, who individually thanked each branch of service throughout the different wars and conflicts in America's history during his speech.

"To all the veterans in our audience, our country owes you an immeasurable debt of gratitude," Davis said. "If the character of a country is defined by those who are willing to lay down their lives, I'd say we have a truly great country."

Davis also thanked and honored the family members and loved ones of those who have and are currently serving.

"Your commitment was personal," Davis said. "You had the worrying days, the sleepless nights. ... You said a prayer for us to come home and celebrated with you when our ships pulled into port and our buses and airplanes arrived, but some of you had the unimaginable heartbreak of loss and devastating injury and we can't understand your challenges and sacrifices. If you are a loved one or family member of someone who served, thank you so much."

Davis went on to thank those in the community who may not have known someone who served, but who donated or prayed for their health and safety. He closed his speech with a notion to remember to be thankful.

"Today and every day we should be grateful for everybody, every man and every woman, who wears the uniform of our nation," Davis said. "We should support them and their families and loved ones and give thanks for our great country. Let's be grateful, work together, and emulate the best qualities of our veterans. Their selfless service, their dedication, their teamwork and their sacrifice."

Roger Beilfuss, an avid supporter and honorary board member at the Veterans Museum Broomfield, has attended this event for about eight years, he said.

"This museum is just such a great place," Beilfuss said. "It's an honor to see all these people here. It's veterans or people who know a veteran, or even the widow of a veteran. It's just really amazing seeing all these people show up this morning."

Mike Fellows, a veteran and Board of Directors member, echoed Beilfuss' statement.

"It's encouraging seeing everyone come out," Fellows said. "You recognize that at least within much of our community there is an appreciation for what our veterans have done and continue to do."

Fellows, like many of his colleagues and fellow veterans, joined after seeing their fathers and other family members serve.

"What encouraged many of us to join the military was our parents," Fellows said. "My father was a World War II veteran, and basically said that at some point in your life, do something bigger than yourself, and to me and many others, that's to join the military. I felt like I was giving back to my country for everything it gave to me."

The Broomfield Veterans Museum is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free tours. On the second and fourth Saturday of every month, the museum hosts Coffee and Conversation from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information, visit broomfieldveterans.org.

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