They do n’t call it the home of the brave for nothing.
The wind was perilous on Monday night, with a downpour of rain in , Vallejo , making conditions less than perfect for a , Veterans Day , service at , Mare Island Naval Cemetery.
A party that showed up to recognize soldiers who had undoubtedly faced more difficult circumstances than this one was n’t having a problem.
Vallejo , Mayor , Robert McConnell , is a former himself, and although the day is very essential to him, he read the area well and used humor to his advantages as he set the tone with a pitch-perfect opening statement.
Despite the bad weather, McConnell thanked everyone for being brave immediately and coming over. ” Now let’s get on and let’s get out of here”.
Although many of the following listeners chose to deliver their remarks in shorter segments, their goal was to ensure that the message was heard throughout.
Solano County , Board of Supervisor Monica Brown , quoted , Ronald Reagan , in her speech.
” Veterans know better than anyone else the price of liberty, for they’ve suffered the marks of war”, Brown said quoting Reagan. We ca n’t recommend a better tribute to them than to defend what we have won. That is our responsibility. America has never been let down by them. We will not allow them down”.
Brown described how she did n’t know how her grandmother handled the conflict with her father and uncle, both of whom served in World War II. She also mentioned the challenges of war for all parties, including her aunt, who served in the Korean War.
According to Brown,” We’re around because we want to make sure everyone is remembered for their concessions and what their people had to do.”
Solano County , Supervisor , Erin Hannigan , talked about growing up with her father and his older brother. When she visited his position as a child she had often enjoy hide-and-go-seek.
In the tourist home bedroom, where a standard hangs, was one of my favorite hiding spots, Hannigan said. It was quickly pressed, ready to wear, and had stripes, medals, and bright buttons. I wish I had asked my parents about the dress when I was younger.
The occasion was full of soldiers like , Monte Simmons, who said he would have come no matter what the wind was like.  , Kevin Milton, a mechanical for decades with the , Air Force , was also in attendance.
But was  , Luther Hendricks, who keynote speaker , Michelle Kwok , honored with a certification, calling him an “inspiration to us all”. Harris, who is 99 years younger, served in WWII and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012.
Kwok, who is the , Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Pacific District ‘s , Executive Director, spoke about the pride of being at the , Naval Cemetery, which was formally transferred from the , City of Vallejo , to the , U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs , last month.
The tomb, the oldest Marine one on the , West Coast , and designated as a National Historic Landmark, has gone through a major repair. Neglected for decades, a procedure to restore it began soon after retired , U. S. Navy , Commander , Ralph Parrott , visited the place and voiced his displeasure’s about the situation to then-Vallejo , Mayor , Bob Sampayan.
U. S.  , Rep.  , Mike Thompson ‘s , regulations even was a major factor in restoring the tomb. when he directed the Secretary of , Veterans Affairs , to seek out an arrangement with the , City of Vallejo.
” This morning we are here on this hallowed ground at , Mare Island , to recognize the men and the women who served American in even in war and peace, past and present, apartment and abroad”, Kwok said. Veterans of British history fought for principles and values that were far superior to what is currently known as pain. I appreciate you taking part currently and seeing how our soldiers have sacrificed.
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( c ) 2024 Times-Herald
Distributed by , Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
