JBER pays tribute to veterans on Veterans Day

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – What originally commemorated the end to World War I is now recognized as Veterans Day — honoring all those who have served in the United States armed forces.

Those who have served were recognized Monday on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) in a special ceremony that included the announcement of the 2024 Governor’s Veterans Advocacy Award recipient.

“I love it,” said Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, the Adjutant General of Alaska. “It’s wonderful to see all the veterans come out, and we have someone here, a 103-year-old veteran of World War II. That’s something you don’t see every day. But this is a very veteran-centric state, as compared to the Lower 48, we have quite a few, and it was wonderful to honor them today.”

The 103-year-old veteran was U.S. Army Technician Third Grade Louis Gigliotti, lovingly known as “Jiggs.”

Jiggs was one of many veterans who showed up to the Alaska National Guard headquarters on JBER to be honored on this Veterans Day.

“It’s important to recognize our veterans today only because of the sacrifices that they all made,” said Forrest Powell III, Deputy Director for the Alaska State Office of Veterans Affairs.

“It’s not just sacrifices in death that we always talk about — Memorial Day — but for those that are living today, they made their sacrifices physically and mentally, and so we want to make sure that they recognized in what’s called a Be Known campaign.”

Powell said that veterans should be consistently honored for the sacrifices made by them and their families. He points to the Be Known program as a way to ensure all veterans across all branches of military know they are loved, and know of all the benefits that come with serving.

“The Be Known campaign slides towards suicide prevention, however, we want to make sure that — we found that there are many female veterans who do not recognize the fact that they are veterans,” Powell explained. “So it’s very, very important that you be known that you’re a veteran. Be known that you served, be known that you’ve served honorably, and be known that you are you have people that recognize you and respect you and love you. So you need to be known, and also be known in what someone’s in times of trouble, someone’s in trouble, be known. Be there for them. And that’s what we want to make sure in this campaign.”

The Veterans Day event on JBER was highlighted by music performances, including patriotic songs from Glacier Brass. In addition to the recognition of our veterans in attendance, a Fallen Warrior Ceremony also took place.

The 2024 Governor’s Veterans Advocacy Award was awarded to Benno Cleveland, who volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1968.

“We’re very, very proud of Benno,” Powell said. “He’s done a lot for our state. There are eight [Alaska Territorial Guard] statues around the state. So any of the major cities you go to, you’ll find that Alaska Territorial Guard statue.

“I think of Benno Cleveland when I see it, because he was behind getting those statues. There’s one on Fourth Avenue that everyone takes a picture of — very famous here in Anchorage. I recommend everybody go there and take a look at that statue, read the placard and understand that not only is Benno Cleveland behind us, but he’s there for all Alaskans, not just Alaskan Native and American Indian, but all Alaskan veterans.”

Cleveland delivered an empowering speech at the ceremony to accept his award from the Governor’s office.

“We’re a nation of many, but a nation of one,” Cleveland expressed. “When we raise our voice in unison, loud — we’re strong, and it’s because of what we’re here for today, is to honor our veterans, those that made it possible.

“We also like to acknowledge our active duty members. Is because of our veterans and your services that we as a nation are allowed to practice our freedoms, our way of lives, our ceremonies, our cultural ways to be as a nation, a strong nation.”

While members of our armed forces don‘t always wish to be recognized, it’s for that reason we do so, officials said at the ceremony. We celebrate their humility and strength, in defending our freedoms and way of life.

“What it is is selfless service, and they don’t do it for the person they see in the mirror,” Saxe said. “They do it for others. They do it for their family. They do it for the people in their unit.

“And again, it really is a special occasion to be able to come together on this day and say thank you for what they have done.”

Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.