PORT ANGELES — A crowd of about 1,000 packed into a Coast Guard hangar in Port Angeles on Friday morning to honor veterans.

The annual regional Veterans Day celebration featured patriotic music, words of reverence and moments to reflect on those who have served.

For 16 years, a Veterans Day ceremony has been held at Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office, which is designated as the regional Veterans Day observance site by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Largest on Peninsula

The ceremony was the largest of a multitude of observances celebrating veterans on the North Olympic Peninsula on Friday.

“This year, we have the unique opportunity to honor our veterans on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year,” said Cmdr. Michael Campbell, executive officer for Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles and master of ceremonies for the event.

“We choose to honor those veterans for their service and sacrifice, both home and abroad.”

Coast Guard Capt. Tony Hahn, commanding officer of the field office and air station, said Veterans Day is a reminder that “freedom is never free.”

He thanked the veterans in the audience, active service members, law enforcement, firefighters, community leaders and volunteers who serve in their communities every day.

“The outreach and support for the military is ingrained in the fabric of this community,” Hahn said.

This year’s featured speaker was U.S. Army Maj. Jennifer Willis, brigade public affairs officer for the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Tacoma.

Hahn welcomed Willis and her husband, Andrew, who is a ship’s engineer for the Royal Canadian Navy in Victoria.

Maj. Willis said Veterans Day is a time to remember those who served and to honor those who are still serving.

‘Fight for each other’

“We don’t just fight for our nation,” she said.

“We fight for each other.”

Willis said it is important to honor the sacrifice of veterans and their families and to celebrate their service every day.

“It [Veterans Day] is a moment of respect that is well-deserved,” Willis said, “but there is more that can and should be done to support our veterans.

“I would challenge business leaders to make a commitment to hire a vet. That’s just one example.”

Willis said care packages to troops — and visits to elderly veterans in hospitals — are always appreciated.

She said anyone can make a difference by joining a local veterans group.

Posted flags

The various Clallam County veterans organizations posted their respective flags at the beginning of the 75-minute ceremony, which was sponsored by the Clallam County Veterans Association.

Members of the Sequim High School Select Choir belted out a harmonic “Star-Spangled Banner” to assist a Coast Guard color guard in presenting the U.S. flag.

The Olympic Peninsula Men’s Choir performed “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The Grand Olympics Chorus of Sweet Adelines International sang “You Raise Me Up” and “Let Freedom Ring.”

Later, the vocal groups joined forces for a rendition of “God Bless America.”

Another highlight was an armed forces medley performed by the Port Angeles High School Wind Ensemble.

The students played the marching songs of each military branch as the veterans of those branches stood up in turn to be applauded by the crowd.

Korean War Veterans bagpiper Ken Feighner played “Amazing Grace” before the benediction and retiring of the colors.

Those present were invited to the Clallam County Veterans Center at 216 S. Francis St. in Port Angeles for a barbecue after the ceremony.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.