Hundreds of people heard the sharp crack of the 21 Gun Salute and the poignant strains of “Taps” as they remembered those who sacrificed all at Monday’s Memorial Day Observance held at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.
A community tradition started by Mercer-Prieto VFW Post #2043 the observance honored those who lost their life in military action, those who served and the families left behind, especially those who never again saw their loved ones.
Santa Paula City Councilman Martin Hernandez said he served in the Air Force but never saw active duty. Two of his sons, Marine Joshua and Jason, serving in the Army, have both been deployed several times to Afghanistan where Jason is now stationed.
Also attending the observance was Mayor Ralph Fernandez and Santa Paula Elementary School Superintendent Dr. Paul Chounet.
Following a patriotic concert by the Isbell Middle School Band led by Scott Knef, Acting VFW Commander Rey Frutos welcomed the crowd.
“It’s an honor to be standing in front of you,” said Frutos who thanked those who contributed to staging the observance including VFW Adjutant/Quartermaster Richard Ruiz and Korean War Veterans of Ventura County Chapter 56 Commander David Lopez.
Frutos also thanked area the band and its director, the Santa Paula Times and Boy Scout Troops 304 and 302, Cub Scout Troops 3304 and 3305, Girl Scout Troops 60625, 60638 and 60040 as well as Fillmore Girl Scout Troops 60631 and 60538.
He also thanked all veterans including Santa Paulan Amanda Johnson who Frutos said is serving her second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
After the National Anthem and the Invocation was given by the VFW’s Tim Santana who noted those “wounded warriors” that returned to live with pain must also be remembered for their sacrifice.
Frutos noted that Memorial Day was founded in 1868 as Decoration Day to recognize Civil War soldiers - the Santa Paula observance is held at the cemetery’s Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Monument - and forever after has been devoted remembering those who “Fought and lost their dreams so we may have ours... may they rest in peace.”
He quoted President Harry S. Truman who noted that although soldiers knew they had a job to, one they didn’t want, “they did it... “
Also “Not forgotten,” said Frutos are POWs and MIAs.
He read a message from Post Commander Jerry Olivas, which noted that 2013 would see the 40th anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam conflict and the 60th anniversary since the end of the Korean War.
Both wars took the lives of 112,528 Americans.
Those who have survived war are passing at a rapid rate: “In recent years,” wrote Olivas, “our VFW Post has lost many members... if it keeps shrinking, someday it may cease to exist.”
Over the past five years the nation has lost more than half its World War II and Korean War veterans, leading Olivas to “Wonder if our post will be able to continue... some of you have attended services,” where the VFW provides a Color Guard, “always willing to provide honor to a deceased vet and give that meaning. It would be a shame if our community,” had to lose such a tradition of love and respect.
KK Holland, a district representative of 19th District Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, said thanks is due to all that have made sacrifices for war.
“There is no more testament to dedication,” to veterans and their causes than patriotic Santa Paulans that Holland said would appreciate a resolution sponsored by Jackson.
The Purple Heart Trail was approved by the Senate Friday and if approved will designate a portion of Highway 101 part of the national effort to honor those who received the medal, awarded to those who die in battle and those wounded.
Adjutant/Quartermaster Ruiz oversaw the Placing of the Wreaths by organizations and individuals including Gold Star Mothers, VFW Post 2043, Korean War Veterans Ventura County Chapter 56, Odd Fellows Lodge, Optimist Club, Rotary Club (in honor of the late Carl Barringer, longtime Rotarian and former VFW Post Commander), the Kiwanis Club, Moose Lodge and individuals.
VFW Frank Osuna read the moving “Freedom Isn’t Free” before the conclusion of the ceremony, the 21 Gun Salute with riflemen from the VFW 2043 and KWVA-VC 56 and “Taps” played by KWVA’s bugler Rudy Arellano.
Although he has attended others, Marine Joshua Hernandez said it was the first time he experienced a Santa Paula VFW Memorial Service.
A Marine for more than four years stationed out of Camp Pendleton, Hernandez, an Afghanistan conflict veteran, said he has been on surgery recovery leave at his parents - Martin and Holly Hernandez - Santa Paula home with his service dog Chaos.
Said Joshua, “It’s really hard to walk up the hill,” to the observance. “I think about a lot of people,” who through the generations have made sacrifices for their country.
