Courtesy photo
Karen Colbert was instrumental in making Hawthorne’s Armed Forces weekend celebration what it is today.
This year, former Armed Forces Day Committee volunteer Karen Colbert will be enjoying her time on the sidelines, watching the parade and enjoying the festivities.
Last year, at her family’s assistance, Colbert retired from the event to enjoy time at home. Unfortunately – this retirement came with bad news as she was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier in the year.
Colbert had been instrumental in reviving the Armed Forces Day celebration after the depot decided to no longer host the festivity. She took the event from a one-day celebration to a weeklong fun-filled and patriotic packed event.
The life of a volunteer is not easy. Family time is cut short, patience wears thin yet, without the dedication of people like Colbert and so many more, the largest celebration in Mineral County would simply wither and die.
So as you walk around town this weekend, partaking in the chili cook-off, open house tours of the courthouse and school or watch your children play on the youth events, take time to stop Colbert and thank her for her many years of service. As you walk by those that provide entertainment or security for you and your family, say a few kind words.
Volunteering is not an easy job and without it – Armed Forces Day weekend will become something of the past.
