VFW Memorial Day program to include memorials, Buddy Poppy program
May 25, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 will be staging its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30, this year offering a look at commemorations of those who fought in war as well as a popular and meaningful fundraiser.
The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. with a concert by the Isbell Middle School Band under the direction of Scott Kneff. Attendees are urged to bring a chair, as seating for this popular traditional event is very limited.
According to VFW Commander Jerry Olivas, “This year’s ceremony will honor our nation’s veterans memorial monuments, starting with the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.”
Commander Olivas said Quartermaster Rey Frutos will do the presentation on the memorials and Service Officer Peter Solis will address the VFW’s Buddy Poppy program.
The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution of the flower featured poignantly in John McCrae’s World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields”.
The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Sales of the handmade Buddy Poppy benefit veterans.
Following patriotic music the May 30 Memorial Day program will start at 10:30 a.m.
Commander Olivas will offer opening remarks and introductions followed by the Isbell Middle School Band playing the “National Anthem.”
Father Charles Lueras, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and a Vietnam War veteran, will offer the invocation.
Quartermaster Frutos will do the presentation on war memorials and the Iwo Jima monument followed by Service Officer Solis who will speak about the Buddy Poppy program.
“We’ll have our Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony, followed by any community participants,” that wish to lay a wreath at the GAR monument or nearby resting place.
The Roll Call of Santa Paula veterans who died in WWI, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War — a highly poignant ceremony — will pay honor to those that could not return from war with a stand-in calling out “Here!” as their names are called.
A special feature to this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony is the acclaimed Ventura Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums that will play several selections.
The anonymous poem “Freedom is Not Free” will be read before the Flag Folding Ceremony, led by Commander David Lopez of the Korean War Veterans Association Ventura County Chapter #56.
Dr. George Golden, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fillmore will offer the closing prayer.
Pepe Gonzalez will release his “Wings of Grace” doves preceding a Three Volley Rifle Salute by the VFW Post 2043 and KWVA-VC Rifle Squad.
The ceremony will conclude with “Taps” played by bugler Rudy Arellano and the raising of the Flag from half-mast to full-mast.
The VFW is always looking for members and is encouraging Vietnam and Middle Eastern war veterans to join Post 2043 which offers fellowship, support, activities and programs with those with similar experiences of fighting for our country.
For more information call Commander Olivas, 805-525-3173.
