World War II veteran honored

Photo by Don Benjamin World War II veteran Allan Arnold (center) was honored last week for his military service. He received an inscribed eagle-head cane and commemorative pen carved by Colorado artisans. Pictured with Arnold is Mike Trickey (left) who se

To honor his military service, World War II veteran Allan Arnold of Cedaredge received an eagle-head cane and a commemorative pen last week. Arnold served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46. Several dozen veterans applauded Arnold's service as Mike Trickey, executive director of the Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans (WHAV), presented the hand-carved tributes.

The occasion was the WHAV coffee for Delta County veterans held in downtown Cedaredge. The Pondy at 220 West Main Street hosts the event and joins with Stacy's on Main to provide free refreshments. The veterans' coffee is held from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Tuesday of every month. Veterans are invited to drop in anytime to meet comrades and interact with veterans' service officials. Veterans who have not already done so should bring their DD-214 discharge papers to be registered for alliance services.

Upcoming coffees will take place on Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. The February meeting will mark the one-year anniversary for the Delta County coffees.

The tradition of presenting canes to veterans dates back to the Civil War. Each cane is hand-fashioned by members of the Black Canyon Wood Carvers, the Montrose Area Wood Turners, and the Woodworkers Guild of Western Colorado. To date over 500 canes have been presented to honor the service of area veterans. Those wishing to nominate a veteran to receive a cane can contact WHAV at 970-765-2210. If anyone comes across an abandoned cane especially at a thrift store or garage sale, please contact WHAV so that it can either be returned to its owner or retired with honors.