Capt. Elizabeth Escalera, U.S. Navy and U.S. Public Health Service retiree, speaks to a large crowd gathered Tuesday for the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Ashley Pond in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Members of the community gather at Ashley Pond Tuesday morning to honor veterans. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamsreporter.com

‘Commitment’ was the theme of the speech given by Capt. Elizabeth Escalera, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Public Health Service during Tuesday’s Veterans Day gathering at Ashley Pond Park. She noted that for many of the veterans present, theirtheir history is very intertwined with service to the nation.

“To me, that is Los Alamos,” she said.

“We honor all of the veterns, including me, that stood over and watched out for our freedon. Those who served quietly, like me, fought with equal dedication,” Capt. Escalera said. “Service to our nation is not just a phrase, it’s a commitment. I think all of us who served understand that. It is a commitment that shaped our lives, our families and our communities, including this one.”

She noted that the Los Alamos community is very unique.

“It is the home of the Manhattan Project, where scientist, engineers and military personnel worked together to develop the first atomic bomb. Their efforts ended World War II and forever changed globak history. This was not just science, it was service,” Capt. Escalera said. “During the Manhattan Project, thousands of soldiers kept the town running while the scientists focused on the mission.”

She went on to say that spirit of spirit did not end with the war, that Los Alamos National Laboratory continues to play a critical role in national security.

“Generations of veterans, many of you here today, have worked here after your military careers, fully applying the skills that they have learned in the military to contribute to the ongoing research and innovation,” Capt. Escalera said.

She said the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts stand as pillars of support for the veterans in the community, offering camaraderie, advocacy and assistance.

Capt. Escalera said she joined the military to help pay for her education. Born in Mexico, she was raised in Texas and while growing up, she said she really had no concept of what the military was. All she knew was that she wanted to go to college because getting an education was a way out of poverty. When she joined the U.S. Navy, she thought she would serve for four years, but ended up serving 24 years.

“When I first started serving in the Navy, I finally understood what serving ourn country meant. It opened my eyes. I wore my uniform with a lot of pride, but I initially felt a little inferior because the sailors would frequently remind me that I was ‘just a nurse’. I learned that honor and service come in many different forms. I may not have been out there fighting the wars or preparing to fight the wars but on the home front I was bandaging those sailors that made fun of me, and the rowdy Marines that got in trouble on the weekend,” she said.

She said serving the nation has many faces.

“It can be that sailor on the ship, the soldier in the field like my daughter was, the medic caring for the airman, or nurses caring for their family members. Regardless of the military branch we served in and our jobs, we have all sacrificed for our nation. Here in Los Alamos, service has meant wearing a uniform or a lab coat. It has meant standing guard or solving equations that safeguarded our freedom. It has meant sacrifice – sometime in silence, sometimes in secrecy,” Capt. XXX said. ” Service to our nation is what we have proudly given…. Today let us honor every veteran and every active service member. Let us remember that service to our nation is not measured by our rank or our role but by our commitment. Let us commit ourselves to the values that unite us – duty, honor and country… May you always have a community – this community – worthy of your service.”

Brian Stringfellow, Commander of American Legion Frank G. Franier Post 90, speaks at Ashley Pond Pavilion Tuesday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Pictured are, from left, Elizabeth Diaz, Adjutant of American Legion Post 90, Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull, Christian Church of Los Alamos Pastor Doug Partin and District 43 State Rep. Christine Chandler. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos High School NJROTC cadets present the colors. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Korean War veteran Paul Elkins and his wife Sue during the presentation of the colors. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull reads the County’s Veterans Day proclamation. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Rep. Christine Chandler reads the state proclamation during the Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

American Legion Adjutant Elizabeth Diaz introduces her mother, guest speaker Capt. Elizabeth Escalera. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Members of the Los Alamos Choral Society sing at the Veterans Day celebration, conducted by Gilmore. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Doug Partin, pastor of the Christian Church of Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Local scouts recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo by Maire O’Neill.losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Veterans Day celebration at Ashley Pond Pavilion. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com