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(Upper Left) Members of the VFW Post 2043 hold various flags representing different wars including a POW/MIA Flag. (Above) Veterans from various branches of the military and the different wars get a front row seat for the Veterans Day Ceremony. (Far Left) Jannette Jauregui addresses the large crowd about her new book that tells tales of many Veterans from our area. (Left) Jerry Olivas, Commander Post 2043 and Quartermaster Rey Frutos conduct the Veterans Day Ceremony. (Above) the Elementary School Chorus sings patriotic songs at the Veterans Day Ceremony. |
VFW: Huge Veterans Day crowd shows those who served never forgotten
November 15, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
The 2013 Veterans Day Observance drew a huge crowd to Veterans Memorial Park Monday to honor those who served, especially those who gave their life in service to the country.
The event featured a special salute to a dedicated veteran, the late Richard Ruiz, as well as a salute from an acclaimed writer,Jannette Jauregui, who has dedicated her talents to chronicling the lives and experiences of Americans who answered the call.
Each year the observance is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mercer-Prieto Post #2043 with assistance from Korean War Veterans Association-Ventura County Chapter #56.
VFW Post Commander Jerry Olivas noted that this year’s event drew a diverse group of veterans, their families and supporters.
“I do believe this is the largest crowd that we can recall,” and Olivas said he was “surprised” by the large number of out-of-towners in attendance, including those who called earlier in the week “regarding our Veterans Day program and asked if they could attend!
“I think that is what makes our City so special,” said Olivas, “that people want to visit and share with us.”
Also shared was a 1946 Chevrolet Fleet Master, a WWII Victory Car that along with a photo display and vintage uniform with helmet was a display dedicated in memory of Bob Martinez’s father, Corporal R. Martinez who served with the 11th Airborne Division, U.S. Army.
Other guests included residents of the California Veterans Home in Saticoy, a veterans’ motorcycle club and Mayor Ralph Fernandez, Councilmen Rick Cook and Martin Hernandez, the latter an Air Force veteran.
A patriotic concert by the Santa Paula High School Band directed by Douglas Kadansky started the event, and the Isbell Middle School Condor Chorus, directed by Donna Nelson, sang the National Anthem and other songs.
Father Michael Fincher of St Paul’s Episcopal/Immanuel Lutheran Church offered the invocation.
Commander Olivas said the program was dedicated to Ruiz, a longtime member of the VFW who never stopped working on the behalf of those who served. The post’s longtime Post Quartermaster/Adjutant, Ruiz, who passed away August 6, was a major organizer of post events from public gatherings and the annual spaghetti dinner to providing Color Guards for veteran funerals and selling fundraising poppies.
Olivas told the crowd, “We are very fortunate to live in a community that supports others and especially veterans,” by attending such events that mark the contributions of those who served including those who went to war.... and too often those that did not return.
Although there are organizations that offer support to veterans and their families Olivas said Santa Paula has always assumed that role whether “On the battlefields or later through illness or loss.”
Olivas presented VFW Post #2043 Certificates of Appreciation to the Limoneira Co., and Steve Marella, the President Nu-Chem Co. who has supported the VFW each year by providing his classic truck as a parade vehicle for veterans to ride in during parades.
Featured speaker Jauregui is devoted to preserving the memories of “The Greatest Generation” and others who served in times of war.
A Santa Paula native the author and VC Star columnist spoke about her second book centered on Ventura County veterans and their war experiences.
Of War and Life: A Decade of Stories is Jauregui’s book about area military veterans and features more than 150 profiles of veterans who served through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
There is also a companion exhibit now on display at the California Oil Museum curated by Jauregui.
She noted her appreciation to the post for their ongoing support and participation in her writing projects and noted she was “pleased” that the program was dedicated to Ruiz.
Jauregui said her interest in veterans’ stories was an offshoot of her early love of Big Band music and World War II war movies that often featured the great tunes enjoyed by the Greatest Generation.
That fascination segued into her later interviews with more than 200 men and women from all walks of life and experiences in many wars.
“I remember how when I interviewed people they welcomed me with open arms,” offering tea and cookies along with at times painful memories of death that brought heartbreak to fellow fighters as well as to those on the home front.
All pain and sacrifice nobly borne, Jauregui noted, “So younger generations could have it easier.... my books exist because of local heroes,” who provided their memories, photos and heartbreaks so all can know the real stories of war.
She said, “I ask each of you to always honor them,” and let veterans know, “how much better we are to have them.... “
Post Quartermaster/Adjutant Rey Frutos oversaw the Memorial Ceremony.
The poignant Roll Call had responses by veterans called out “Here!” or “Present!” to each name on the memorial plaques that honor Santa Paulans who sacrificed all in World War I, World War II, Korea and Viet Nam are called.
Callers for their fallen comrades were WWI Henry Guevara, WWII Albino Pineda, Korean War Julian Ruiz and Vietnam John Hurtado.
Each of the veterans immortalized on the plaques is an Honorary Member of the VFW Post #2043, an effort spearheaded by Ruiz that is unique to the local post.
Olivas and Commander David Lopez of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) of Ventura County #56 placed the Veterans Memorial Wreaths including those on the Korean War Memorial.
“Taps” played by bugler Rudy Arellano followed a Rifle Squad Salute by VFW and KWVA Members.
“Wings of Peach” doves were released by Pepe Gonzalez to end the ceremony.
The Isbell Middle School Condor Chorus provided more patriotic music as guests enjoy refreshments provided and served by Soroptimist International of Santa Paula President Heidi Juarez and SISP members.
