Vets to be attraction and special guests at Monday’s Veterans Day Observance
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: November 09, 2012
Veterans will be the attraction and the special guests at Monday’s Veterans Day Observance, staged by Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 and Korean War Veterans Ventura County Chapter #56.
The observance is being held the day following the November 11th Veterans Day, which this year falls on a Sunday. Monday’s observance will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, located directly across the street from City Hall, 970 E. Ventura Street.
Held to remember all those heroes who fought and died fighting on behalf of America, the observance will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial. The memorial lists all Santa Paulans who lost their lives in war, ranging from World War I to Vietnam. There is also a special Korean War Memorial honoring those who died in the conflict often referred to as the “Forgotten War.”
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, and the date and time of the annual observance coincides with the end of World War I. Called “The War to End All War” that conflict officially ended on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour when hostilities stopped in 1918.
Monday’s ceremony will include a patriotic concert by the Santa Paula High School Band led by director Douglas Kadansky, to be followed by VFW Post Commander Gerald Olivas, who will make introductions and welcome the crowd. The Isbell Middle School Condor Chorus, directed by Donna Nelson and accompanied by the SPHS Band, will perform the National Anthem and an invocation will be offered.
The Veterans Day ceremony involves a roll call of the names of those Santa Paulans who died in war who are listed on the Memorial. VFW Post members, to show solidarity with those who died in war and how they will never be forgotten, provide responses of “Here” to each name. According to VFW Post Quartermaster/Adjutant Richard Ruiz, the memorial holds 84 names of Santa Paulans who did not return from the war.
Commander Olivas and Korean War Veterans Ventura County Chapter President David Lopez will place the first wreaths at the park’s Veterans and Korean War memorials. There will also be a Rifle Squad Salute by VFW and KWV members. Bugler Rudy Arellano will play “Taps” followed by the Condor Chorus and SPHS Band, who will offer more music and song saluting America.
Following the brief ceremony, a reception featuring refreshments sponsored by Soroptimist International of Santa Paula and SISP President Heidi Juarez will offer time for socializing.
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