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Grand Valley Honors Veterans and Celebrates Freedom

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Nov 11, 2012 at 7:38 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2012 at 7:41 AM MDT

FRUITA, Colo.- Grand Valley residents gathered at the Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park in Fruita Sunday for a Veterans Day ceremony. The hour-long service featured performances and speakers, all honoring those who have served our country.

Our busy day-to-day lives sometimes cause us to forget how lucky we are to live in this country.

Keynote speaker Larry Cappetto, a documentary filmmaker, said, "I challenge our young people today in our schools with the fact that, you know, you're born in a free country, but do you ever think about why you're free?"

One man is thankful every day to call America home.

Mathias Mulumba, one of the musical performers at the ceremony, said, "When I used to be in Africa we used to hear about America, and I didn't know how America is and what was so special about America."

Born in Uganda, Mathias Mulumba now understands what it means to be an American.

"It's important for me because I know that there are men that fought for my freedom. Freedom is not free; you know, there are others that would die in the war fighting to protect my freedom, and so they mean a lot to me," Mulumba said.

Through music and passionate words he and others thanked veterans for the sacrifices they've made for this country and its future generations.

Cappetto said, "It's a reminder of what we went through at war, and nobody likes war, but it's something we have to do at times, and thank God for the men and women that are serving in our country."

Tom Gorman, veterans service officer for Navajo Nation, said, "Really rekindles the love that we have for one another; we take care of our own."

"I'm just blessed to be here and just be part of the freedom that is in this country," said Mulumba.

While this holiday gives us a moment to thank our veterans and remember how special our freedom is, people like Mulumba are proof that it doesn't hurt to do just that every day.

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