Also with this story, look back to www.freelancenews.com later
for an exclusive video of today’s ceremonies.
HOLLISTER
Nine-year-old Danny Enriquez came to the Veterans Day ceremony in Hollister today with his father, who served in the Army reserves, and four younger siblings.
“It’s important to honor them, because they all gave some and some gave all,” said the profound younster.
A crowd of United States veterans and grateful community members assembled in front of the Veterans Memorial Building at 11:11 a.m., when ceremonies led by Richard Herrera Jr. commenced to honor local people who have served in the armed forces.
It began and ended with a prayer by Chaplain Ron Sanchez. In between, many veterans and local officials made brief speeches to the attentive crowd, and an honor guard fired rifles in unison, after which “Taps” played.
Pauline Valdivia of the Hollister City Council spoke about the brother she lost from the Vietnam War 40 years ago and she urged the audience to “remember, for a moment, all those that cannot be with their family during the holiday season.”
County Supervisors Pat Loe and Jaime De La Cruz expressed their appreciation to all veterans and both urged the crowd to spend time thanking someone in their lives who has served.
Dolly DeVasier of the Ladies Auxiliary for VFW Post 9242 spoke about the importance of supporting veterans in any possible way. She explained that those wishing to “do just a little something” can bring cancelled stamps cut out of envelopes while leaving a paper border of “about a quarter inch” to the veterans building. The Ladies Auxiliary will then distribute them to veteran hospitals where vets “sort, file, trade, research and do all sorts of things with the stamps.”
Speakers also included the most recent San Benito County resident to return from the Iraq War, Navy Cmdr. Jay Johnson. He cautioned the audience to not believe everything they hear about Iraq, saying those serving have seen a decrease in insurgent activity and troops “have it pretty easy compared to what vets in the past had to put up with.”
Walking around before and after the event, 84-year-old Hollister resident Wiliam Brin and 83-year-old Richard Advenson summed up the reserved dignity most veterans at the event exhibited. Both served in World War II, and Advenson also served in Korea.
“They sent me into the First Division of the 16th Infantry, and we battled through the bulge and through Europe and ended up in Checkoslovakia,” recalled the veteran. Asked how he remembers the experience, the World War II veteran shook his head and replied, “It was tough. It was real tough sometimes.”
Advenson, who also fought in the Battle of the Bulge, remembers those tough times as well, but is happy with Hollister’s efforts to honor those who have served their country.
“This is a great day, and these are great people,” said the proud veteran. “I’ll be riding in the tractor during the parade just appreciating this town.”
