Oakmont holds third annual Veterans Day celebration
Oakmont of Santa Clarita gave an early commemoration to some of its residents and their loved ones with their third annual Veterans Day celebration on Sunday.
Following a flag ceremony and the Pledge of Allegiance, the event began with a recognition of 16 servicemen who served during World War II or in the decades after, living or deceased.
“It’s a very special privilege to be able to (honor) our veterans here at Oakmont, especially when you think of those who served in World War II,” said Mary Dembrowski, Oakmont’s marketing director. “Five or 10 years from now, they may not be around anymore, so it’s just something that’s very close to our hearts.”
Everyone received slices of cake and tea, followed by a musical performance by guitarist Michael Quest, which featured songs like “God Bless America,” “I Walk the Line,” “All I Have to Do is Dream” and an acoustic performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Although the celebration was intended for veterans connected to Oakmont, Dembrowski said it was open to the public and to veterans in Santa Clarita.
One of the veterans honored was Manuel Pinsky. His wife, resident Louise Pinsky, participated in the celebration to remember her late husband’s service during World War II. She moved into Oakmont following a neck injury after Pinsky’s death on Nov. 11, 2006, at 11 a.m.
“Well, he was drafted in 1942 and served in the Army,” she said. “He was (private first class), he didn’t aspire to be an officer. He was offered promotions but he ended up a corporal.”
Eventually, after working as a cryptographer, Pinsky was sent to Japan following the fall of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. By 1946, he returned home and married Louise.
“That was a good story,” she laughed.
She said Pinsky would be a greatgrandfather three times over were he still alive.