Inaugural awareness walk honors all who served
EL CENTRO — An inaugural Veterans Day Awareness Walk and Luncheon gave thanks to military personnel past and present for their sacrifice to the country as they convened in Bucklin Park on Saturday.
Organized by the El Centro Patriotic Planning Committee, it was a welcome home for regional servicemen and women. Jason Jackson, city councilman and committee member, remarked it was a day to pay tribute not just in Imperial Valley but across the U.S.
“We have some dignitaries speaking, but today all veterans are dignitaries and we should recognize them not just on one day but every day,” said Jackson. “I’d also like to thank the parents who brought their children to raise awareness among our youth.”
A crowd of more than 40 assembled at the Boyce Aten American Legion Post No. 25 and given American flags before proceeding to the El Centro Veterans Memorial. Tracy Rascoe, American Legion 30th district commander, reminded the audience the American Legion is the largest veteran’s organization with more than three million members. Yet despite vigorous participation the American Legion also needs the community’s support.
“My father served two and a half tours in Vietnam and lost 3/4 of a lung to Agent Orange and we need to get our veterans support for medical assistance,” said Rascoe. “If it wasn’t for the American Legion the fight for research to combat effects of Agent Orange wouldn’t happen. Please keep Veterans Day as a priority and don’t skip straight through to Thanksgiving.”
Not all veterans served in combat but all of them swore an oath of allegiance to defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic noted Tom Henderson, Vietnam veteran, and infantry platoon leader who was based in An Loc and Tay Ninh. The concept of service lies just beneath the skin of veterans yet constant deployment also means constant disruption to families, he noted.
“We accept our responsibility to serve the nation,” said Henderson “Yet there is a price to pay for war and the government should take care of veterans when they return home. We need to urge the county to help vets get their benefits. So let us fully staff our Imperial County Veterans Service Office.”
El Centro police Chief Eddie Madueno, a veteran of the U.S. Army, noted the country may not be perfect but it is the best country in the world. “A veteran’s oath of enlistment has no expiration date,” he said. “But when we stand united we make our country stronger. Our next generation of warriors stand ready to defend our country and they understand they have to stand for something bigger than personal desires.”
Susana Saenz is a first class petty officer and works as an aviation ordnanceman at Naval Air Facility El Centro. She remarked it is great the community shows encouragement. “I think it’s important for vets to be proud of their service and it’s a great way to show support for their branches.” Alonzo Gonzalez was a sergeant in the Air Force stationed at Edwards Air Force Base and Zaragoza, Spain. “My service was insignificant compared to those who didn’t come back,” he said. “So by showing up today, it’s in remembrance of them.”
Loni Guerrero officially became affiliated with Post 25, Saturday. She was a U.S. Army automated logistical supply specialist from 2008 to 2015. “It’s just amazing to see all the support we got from the Valley today,” she said. “It used to be there was not a lot of backing. But now there is, especially in El Centro.”