Results tagged “Yucaipa VFW Post 7347” from Yucaipa Now

Fallen heroes absent but not forgotten on this sacred day for veterans

Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Thomas Arredondo stood back soaking in the scene before him. He watched as people strolled among the hundreds of graves adorned with small American flags marking the permanent resting place of Calimesa and Yucaipa veterans who fought and died in service to their country.

The former Infantryman of the Army's First Infantry Division served in Vietnam from February 1967 to February 1968. He was one of the fortunate ones to come home alive, he said.

On Monday Arredondo paid his respects to those who didn't come home alive. He was one of about 500 who attended the Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Calimesa.

"I come every year to remember and honor the men who died and didn't come home," said Arredondo of Mentone. "I had an uncle who was killed in Korea. He was only 18. I lost four or five of my friends and my bunker buddy was killed by either shrapnel or a bullet. I never want to forget them."

Veterans hope public will take time to pay respects

By Diana Sholley, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 05:59:30 PM PDT
(An excerpt from Diana Sholley's terrific feature story, "Day to remember," that appeared in the SUN's Perspectives section today.)

YUCAIPA - As Gary Martin prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, he wonders how many of his fellow Americans will also take the time to honor the holiday. Will they host a backyard barbecue? Enjoy a day at the beach? Water ski on the river or take a long weekend getaway?

All great ways to spend free time. In the midst of sun, surf and summertime snacks, Martin hopes everyone who enjoys the freedom to celebrate however they choose can find some time to pay respects to the men and woman who provided all those possibilities.

"People seem to have lost focus on what Memorial Day is all about," said Martin, commander of the Yucaipa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7347. "I have strong feelings about veterans, especially those who have paid the ultimate price. With all our country's trials and tribulations, there's no one in the world that enjoys the freedoms we do."

Giving people an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, the Yucaipa VFW Post 7347 has joined with the Yucaipa American Legion Post 426 to host an hour-long ceremony at Desert Lawn Cemetery.

Today volunteers will be out at Desert Lawn adorning the graves with American flags.

The event will include speakers, a rifle salute, flyover, taps and a roll call of all the Yucaipa and Calimesa residents who gave their lives after answering the call. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Attendance by Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell and Calimesa Mayor Jim Hyatt, along with one of the guest speakers, Calimesa Councilmember, Ray Quinto, are also expected.

For the past few years the Yucaipa's VFW and American Legion have joined for combined celebrations on Veterans and Memorial Day. Martin was saddened by last year's Veterans Day turnout at Yucaipa Regional Park.

"We probably had less than 150 people there," said Martin, 64, who served 10 years in the Marines and 10 years in the Army. "Within 100 yards or so of our celebration there were three pavilions filled with people having huge barbecues."

Through extensive planning and getting the word out, Martin hopes to revitalize the holiday, its true meaning and a sense of gratitude.

"Have a barbecue, go to a picnic; most Memorial Day events only last about an hour," he said. "Is it too much to ask to spend one hour a year to pay homage to a veteran that gave his life for your freedom?"

Monday's Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn will start at 10 a.m. and last for about an hour.

Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, CA 92323
(909) 795-2451
www.caringfuneralservice.com

Take time to read Diana's entire story by clicking on this link: Day To Remember

About 50 volunteers, including veterans, boy scouts and cub scouts, planted flags at the grave sites of U.S. military veterans at Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery on Sunday morning.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

CALIMESA - They came because they care. They came because they are grateful. They came in reverence for those who served, fought, and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

About 50 volunteers carrying armfuls of small American flags searched among the hundreds of grave markers on the vast green lawn of Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery on Sunday.

These patriotic volunteers - veterans from the Yucaipa American Legion Post 426 and VFW Post 7347, Highland Boy Scouts Troop 19, and the Yucaipa Cub Scouts Pack 4 - searched for a very revered group of Americans resting for all eternity at Desert Lawn:

Americans who had served, fought, and died for their country - the United States military men and women of the Air Force, the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Marine Corps.

When a flag bearer found a grave marker with the name of veteran on it, a flag was placed in the ground next to the marker. And when the final flag was placed, the cemetery was filled with over 300 flags waving softly in a silent breeze.

For 12-year-old Christian Lucas of Troop 19, this was his first time paying such an honor to America's veterans. "We need to recognize everyone who served and died for our country," Christian said.

The flag placing ceremony precedes the Memorial Day Commemoration, which will be held at Desert Lawn on Monday. Sherrie Hyman of Yucaipa wore her black POW MIA T-shirt inscribed on the back with, "You Are Not Forgotten."

Her arms were filled with flags as she stepped gingerly and respectfully among the hundreds of grave markers in search of those inscribed with the names of veterans.

Hyman, along with her fiance Howard Parkin a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, adorned grave sites with flags for about an hour - at one small grave marker after another - such as that of Lester L. Lundorf. His marker read, Y2 US Navy, World War II, 1915 - 2005. Or that of Artys Ruth Brown, 2nd Lt. US Army, Korea, Nov. 9, 1919 - July 2, 2007.

"My dad John Hyman was in the Navy and served in World War II," Hyman said. "It means a lot for me to be here today to honor my dad and all of the veterans. Because of them we live in peace and in a free country."

Memorial Day Commemoration will begin at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day at Desert Lawn. There is plenty of seating and parking and the event will last for about an hour.

Desert Lawn Funeral and Cemetery
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, CA 92320
(909) 795-2451
www.caringfuneralservice.com.

YUCAIPA - Some eagerly climbed on to his lap without a shred of fear. While others clung to their mothers with an ironclad grip not wanting anything to do with the fat guy with the thick white beard and glasses sitting on a chair near a Christmas tree.

The Yucaipa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7347 opened their doors to youngsters to have their pictures taken with Santa on Saturday after the Yucaipa Christmas Parade.

The VFW also treated the kids to cookies and cupcakes while parents feasted on a Tri-Tip dinner.

But the afternoon was meant for the kids. While they sat on his lap and asked for presents, parents and grandparents snapped keepsake pictures.

What did the kids ask for? Here's a sampling. Chrissy Speak, 6, wants a new bike. But perhaps the most unusual and controversial request came from eight-year-old Sara Cords.

"I asked him for a (cell) phone," she said. But in the wee hours of Christmas, will Santa fill Chrissy's stocking with her hopeful request?

The look Faith Cord gave his way, said maybe Santa had better think twice about honoring her daughter's wishes.

"Santa does what Santa wants to do," Faith said with a chuckle. "But I hope not. She is too young."

For all his hard work fulfilling children's gift wishes, Santa received his reward when Kiddi Karr and Joanne Wilkinson sat on each of his knees, hung Mistletoe over his Santa's hat, and gave him big kisses on each side of his check.

Since the job has such wonderful rewards, some of the dad's standing nearby said maybe they would apply for Santa's job next year.

Alix Burton the Post's do-everything organizer, arranged for Santa's visit. "Every year we do this for the kids," said Burton. "It's doing our part for children to have a fun experience with Santa."