Mercer-Prieto VFW Veterans Day
Observance Tuesday, 11-11 at 11 a.m.

November 07, 2014
Santa Paula News

In 1918, on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a.m. World War I ended, and to honor the contributions of those who served as well as those who lost their lives in the war the annual Veterans Day Observance will be held Tuesday.

Sponsored by Mercer-Prieto VFW Post #2043, the November 11, 2014 Veterans Day Observance will be held at Veterans Park starting at 10:45 a.m. 

Veterans Memorial Park is located across the street from City Hall on the 900 block of East Ventura Street.

There will be a patriotic concert by the Santa Paula High School Band directed by Jerry Cruz starting at 10:45 a.m. 

The program will start at 11 a.m. with introductions and the welcome 

by Commander Jerry Olivas. 

The program will include salutations to veterans 90 years and older. 

Said Olivas, “We’re going to recognize our older veterans who are still with us and call out their names,” marking their past service and contributions to the nation that earned them the title The Greatest Generation.

Then Commander David Lopez, the Santa Paula native who spearheaded the effort to designate a portion of Highway 126 as the Korean War Veterans Highway, created a monument to same at Veterans Park and was the founder of Korean War Veterans Association of Ventura County Chapter #56 which he continues to lead, will also receive a special recognition.

Said Olivas, “David has made so many amazing contributions to the veterans,” especially those who fought in Korea, in the past often referred to as the Forgotten War.

“Then we will acknowledge community service and recognize the Santa Paula Times for all their efforts through the years, their dedication in not only bringing the community the news of the community but also for assisting us with our veterans’ affairs. 

“After the Santa Paula Chronicle folded (in 1992) Debbie and Don Johnson opened the Santa Paula Times... and we want to honor the Johnsons, Brian Wilson and Peggy Kelly,” for their “decades of dedication to Santa Paula overall and our Mercer-Prieto Post in particular.”

In addition, Olivas said the event will also feature a special patriotic song program by director Donna Nelson and the Isbell Middle School Condor Chorus and Barbara Webster School Singers directed by Kristi Crisp.

The National Anthem will also be performed.

Each year the post also stages the Fallen Veterans Memorial Ceremony that features the Roll Call.

The poignant Roll Call features post members who call out “Here!” for each name shown on the Veterans Memorial, which lists those Santa Paulans who sacrificed all in World War I, World War II, Korea and Viet Nam.

Each of the veterans immortalized on the plaques is also an Honorary Member of the VFW Post #2043, a membership unique to the local post.

Olivas and Lopez will conduct the Placement of Veterans Memorial Wreaths.

A Rifle Squad Salute by VFW and KWVA Members followed by taps by bugler Rudy Arellano will end the memorial.

There will be more patriotic music as guests enjoy refreshments provided by Soroptimist International of Santa Paula served by President Heidi Juarez and SISP members.

After the reception Olivas said, “Everybody is invited to a barbecue at Mountain View Golf Club, sponsored by the Santa Paula Motorcycle Riders... we’ve been working with Gibby Gomez Jr. and we appreciate this wonderfully generous gesture on their part to thank the veterans for their service.” 





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