FARMINGTON – Area residents of all ages shrugged off the cold Saturday as they honored local veterans in a ceremony held at Wal-Mart in Farmington.

Highlighting the event was a contribution made by The Wal-Mart Foundation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Wal-Mart employee and retired marine sergeant Pat Beal presented the $1000 check to VFW service officer Clyde Penney. Penney said that the money will go towards construction of a new VFW hall.

“We don’t have a building right now,” he explained. “We have our meetings at the municipal building, but we’d like to start work on the new hall this spring.”

Beal is not the only member of the Farmington Wal-mart staff who has ties to the military. Store manager Dan Durrum is a veteran and his family has a long history in the armed forces. His grandfather served in World War I and World War II, and his father served in Korea.

Along with Saturday’s contribution, Wal-Mart will donate Thanksgiving turkeys to the families of National Guard members serving in the Middle East, said event organizer Peter Zanoni.

Also in attendance was Sen. Chandler Woodcock, who gave a short speech in which he stressed the respect and gratitude America has for its veterans. “Officially they are recognized two days a year,” he told the crowd of spectators, “but in our hearts it’s 365.”

Not far from where Woodcock addressed the crowd, the Dirigo Young Marines performed the raising of the colors. As veterans of tomorrow, this group also received some recognition.

“These young men and women are our future,” said Army National Guard Sergeant Gabe Rios as he proudly pointed out the group standing at attention.

According to Vietnam vet Bill McCall, the Young Marines will have the chance to come to a future ceremony as guests of honor. “This is the first one,” he said, “but we will try to do this every year.”

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