American Legion Post 69 Vice Commander Ed Hawkins at Sunday’s local ceremony pointed out that Memorial Day is meant to honor those who died while serving the country, and that Veterans Day is to give recognition to all veterans who served.
He reminded local residents there is another special group that deserves special recognition.
“These are the veterans who have died for this country long after they stopped wearing their uniform,” Hawkins said.
He was among the speakers during a Veterans Day ceremony at 11:11 a.m. Sunday at the Veterans Memorial Building, where hundreds of residents attended the engagement before a 1:30 p.m. parade in downtown Hollister.
One of those veterans who risked their life in battle, and who is no longer with us, was Sal LoBue. His son Tony LoBue spoke on his father’s behalf Sunday.
He recalled how his father, who died May 8, came to America from Sicily in 1937 as a young boy with his family, and that Sal LoBue later accepted the U.S. government’s offer to either serve in the military instead of returning to Sicily.
LoBue reflected on his favorite story from his father when he landed at Normandy on D-Day. He said his father was not a good swimmer and, while on one of the barges waiting to be dropped in the sea, asked the man behind him to help or push him if he could not make it to the beach alone.
“His new friend behind him assured him he would help him and he would make it out of this hell alive. My father never saw him again,” said Tony LoBue, adding that his family’s prayers go out to the man and his family.
He fought for three years in France and Germany and came back to country as a citizen, man, friend, father and “true American hero,” his son said.
Several speakers at the event talked about the importance of simply saying “thank you” to veterans like Sal LoBue.
Sandra Green with the American Legion Auxiliary said veterans come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.
“Remember each time you see someone who served our country, just lean over and say ‘thank you.’ Green said. “Two words mean a lot. Just say ‘thank you’ to all of our vets.”
Some of the other speakers Sunday included Supervisor Anthony Botelho, Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, Hollister Fire Chief Fred Cheshire and interim Hollister Police Chief David Westrick. He said about a quarter of the officers in the department are veterans and mentioned that the P.D. this year is applying for a new grant through the U.S. Department of Justice called “Vets to Cops” that funds tuition and other costs for active military personnel who want to become officers, as well as hiring costs for participating agencies.
“It’s programs like this that allow small agencies like the Hollister Police Department to help our local veterans,” he said.
