Latest news with #DanaCadey
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Longmont community remembers U.S. military veterans on Memorial Day
With the American flag flying at half-staff, Longmont community members paid their respects Monday to soldiers who gave their lives in service of the United States. Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. Members of the American Legion Post 32 and the Longs Peak Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601 hung wreaths for soldiers at Stephen Day Park, Foothills Gardens of Memory and Mountain View Cemetery. 'Let us each in our own way remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice, for that is the true purpose of Memorial Day,' Post 2601 commander Nicholas Miner said. Wreaths are displayed at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont on Monday. Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer) For those attending the ceremonies, the day brought an opportunity to reflect on their personal relationships with members of the military. Mike Pierce, a bugler with the American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard, played 'Taps' on Monday. Pierce said his father was a member of an honor guard as well, and it inspired him to follow in his footsteps. 'I decided that, when I was retired, I would do that,' said Pierce, who has been a bugler for Post 32 for six years. Gary Schmidt, captain of the Post 32 Honor Guard, estimated between 150 and 200 people at the concluding ceremony, which took place at Longmont's Mountain View Cemetery. He said some attendees go to all three ceremonies every year, on top of the flag-raising event at Post 32 held later on Memorial Day. 'That's commitment,' Schmidt said. 'It's impressive to see.' Wreaths were hung by representatives of local organizations, including the Longmont Elks and Moose lodges, and the Post 32 and Post 2601 auxiliaries. Eight wreaths were displayed in tribute to all U.S. military veterans who died. 'Theirs was a just cause,' Post 32 commander Ralph Bozella said as he hung his wreath. At Mountain View Cemetery, guest speaker Patrick Gleason shared stories of his friends — fellow soldiers who were killed in the line of duty. Gleason is a retired master sergeant with 22 years of service, including a combat tour, according to a biographical page. Longs Peak Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601 chaplain Leon Bartholomay salutes in front of wreaths at Foothills Gardens of Memory north of Longmont on Monday. Ceremonies took place around the Longmont area to observe Memorial Day and honor departed veterans. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer) Gleason, who lives in Longmont, thanked veterans for their service. Memorial Day, he said, is about the soldiers who never came home. 'They are the ones we honor today,' Gleason said. Post 2601 chaplain Leon Bartholomay closed the final ceremony with a prayer. 'May we be inspired to live lives of courage, compassion and service to others,' Bartholomay said.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘We're not alone': Longmont community uplifts sexual assault survivors at ‘Take Back the Night'
Front Range Community College in Longmont has opened its doors to anyone seeking resources, validation and comfort in the wake of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' On Thursday, FRCC's Boulder County campus hosted its annual event aimed at supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Take Back the Night events are observed around the world to decry sexual violence and show people that it hasn't gone away. 'This is our big event of the year,' said Priscilla Larson, president of the college's Feminist Uprising Collective club. 'It's really important, especially with the political climate we're in, to just get resources out to people, and let people be heard and seen.' Lisa Taylor Strauss with Blue Sky Bridge talks to a guest at her booth on Thursday. Front Range Community College in Longmont raised awareness of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' (Dana Cadey / Staff writer) More than 15 local organizations had booths at the event, which was held in the college's outdoor courtyard. Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence — a nonprofit serving people impacted by domestic violence in Boulder and Broomfield counties — was a new presence at Take Back the Night this year. 'It just makes sense to be here,' said Alex Mitter, housing coordinator for SPAN. Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County returned as both a vendor and an event sponsor. 'It's very core to our mission to provide advocacy and support to help fight violence against women,' Zonta club president Pam Malzbender said. 'Having a sense of community keeps us all strong and positive, because it makes us know we're not alone.' A lineup of speakers gave remarks on how community members can stand against sexual assault and domestic violence. Longmont City Councilmembers Sean McCoy and Susie Hidalgo-Fahring spoke to over 50 guests about the city's efforts to oppose sexual violence. Front Range Community College alum Violet Stoudt speaks to guests on Thursday. Front Range Community College in Longmont raised awareness of sexual violence at 'Take Back the Night.' (Dana Cadey / Staff writer) 'We want to uplift your voices and make sure that stigma doesn't bring us down,' Hidalgo-Fahring told guests on Thursday. 'Together, we will rise.' Keynote speaker Isabella Grace Cohn recently created a documentary film about survivors of sexual violence. Cohn said it's important to have healthy discussions about consent, boundaries and power dynamics. 'It is crucial that we normalize these conversations, and start them,' Cohn said. This year, 10 individuals shared personal stories of harassment, abuse and assault during the open mic portion. The evening ended with a candlelight vigil, where participants shared one word to describe how the event made them feel. Several called the event hopeful. FRCC alum Violet Stoudt said events like Take Back the Night show survivors of sexual assault that they are not alone. 'We want to connect with each other, to tell each other stories,' Stoudt said. 'Being vulnerable is how you build community.'
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Longmont community rallies for equality on International Women's Day
Longmont community members gathered downtown to rally for a more equitable society on this year's International Women's Day. On Saturday, a large crowd of people met at Sixth Avenue and Main Street in Longmont for the demonstration. The crowd filled both sides of Main Street, with some protesters occupying the median. Protesters gather at Sixth Avenue and Main Street in Longmont to rally for gender equality during International Women's Day on Saturday. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer) Over 250 people had registered for the protest on the event website by Saturday afternoon. Rally coordinator Lyn Lowry hosted a few International Women's Day protests in Longmont before the Covid-19 pandemic, but she said she was surprised to see so many people attend Saturday's rally. 'We need community — we need to support women,' Lowry said. 'We need to do something about misogyny and cruelty, and it's all over the world.' International Women's Day is observed annually on March 8. The day celebrates the accomplishments of women while calling for greater gender equality around the world. While most of the protesters were women, many men joined the Longmont rally as well. Erie resident Paul Crosson expressed his support for women's rights and abortion access. Crosson said it was 'hopeful' to see so many people rallying on Saturday. 'It's educational, and people need to do something with their emotions,' Crosson said. Protesters gather at Sixth Avenue and Main Street in Longmont to rally for gender equality during International Women's Day on Saturday. (Dana Cadey/Staff writer) Many signs displayed messages advocating for female empowerment, including 'Girl Power' and 'Hear Us Roar.' Others focused on separate political topics, such as climate change and fascism. 'It makes me tear up because I think we all feel the same way,' Longmont resident Lynette McClain said. 'It's a lot more than just a women's march.' McClain said she wants the rally to inspire people to be active in political discourse. 'We want to get people involved, and to stand up,' McClain said. 'We need everybody to stand up.' Paula Dyer, another protester from Longmont, spent the week attending other regional rallies, including one at the state Capitol building in Denver on Tuesday. 'My heart is breaking,' Dyer said. 'I'm 78 years old. I never, ever thought this would be our country. And I can't stay away. I have to be here.' She said it was 'so exciting' to see the big turnout at the Longmont rally. 'Longmont cares, and we're proving it today,' Dyer said.
