Stars and Stripes is More Than a Gesture in Andes

Stars and Stripes Andes nonprofit President Ryan Abbate with Vice President Beth Abbate

Memorial Day weekend fireworks at the Andes Hotel which hosted the Stars and Stripes fundraiser

By Robert Brune

ANDES — In Andes, the appreciation for everyone who served in the military to protect our freedoms goes well beyond an annual gesture of gratitude. Ryan Abbate is the acting president of the Bill Day Foundation (Stars and Stripes), with Beth Abbate as vice president, Dorothy McArdle as Treasurer, Laurie Day as secretary. R. Abbate estimates at least sixteen other dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to organize the fundraiser at the Andes Hotel all through the previous week for this past weekend’s celebration and fundraiser BBQ. While there are other surrounding villages that do similar dedications to members of our military, R Abbate explains, “ we are one of the only towns that pull down the flags and military banners each November. This greatly increases the life span of the materials. Romo Machine in Andes, (Local business) fabricates all the banner holders and snowflake/flower brackets for us, so all of that is custom made.”

R. Abbate expresses his gratitude for everyone involved in this nonprofit, “When it comes to the event, all money raised goes directly to fund the flowers, military banners, American flags, and holiday decorations along Main Street in Andes. All of those mentioned items are installed, maintained, and removed by only volunteers. All of that could not be possible without them.” According to R. Abbate, the Memorial Day weekend fundraiser is the only event they plan each year to raise money to keep the culture of celebrating local people who have served and carrying on the tradition of holiday decorations. This event has been embraced and supported by Derek Curl of the Andes Hotel and their staff as R. Abbate tells it, “The Andes Hotel and Derek Curl have always been there for us and have given our organization whatever we need. Dereck is by far the most generous and caring individual I have ever met. Dereck is the reason why we have an amazing fireworks display. That donation always comes directly from him.”

There were hundreds of people who showed up for the BBQ through the afternoon into the evening. By 7:30 pm they had run through more than one hundred and thirty chickens that had been prepared, according to McArdle. Curl supplemented the chickens that had run out with Tara’s pizza for free. The people who attended enjoyed live music and a tremendous fireworks display that impressed everyone who stayed until 9 pm.