Photos by Catherine Stachowiak
On Veterans Day the Kern River Valley Cemetery District came through for our veterans with a ceremony honoring their military service the district’s Secretary Tamela Ashlock organized.
Orion Sanders, the District Manager for KRVCD was MC during the event. He told the public that the Kern Valley FFA placed the flags at the cemetery this year.
Boy Scout Troop 711 presented colors and retired colors for the ceremony.
Kern River Chorus performed a number of patriotic songs, in tight formation, never missing a tune or harmony, which as the public would expect included the National Anthem. They also sang an Armed Forces Medley during which Veterans of various branches were asked to stand for recognition.
The Keynote Speaker who gave an emotional speech was Ireland Comtock-Rush, Field Representative for Congressman Vince Fong. “I want to say a special thank you to all of our veterans for everything that you have done for us. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you and none of us would.” she said. “As we stand here today we’re reminded that the freedoms we enjoy, the very freedoms that define the United States have been secured by the brave individuals who have answered the call to serve.”
Commander Jason Grove, from the VFW post 7665 in Lake Isabella took a moment of silence in memory of veterans who have passed. He said, “Though we all have our stories, and a lot of times we celebrate the ones that are the loudest; I’d like to remind you that even the veterans that don’t have the loud stories, the ones that get pushed aside, the ones that get forgotten about, they are still veterans too.” He asked the crowd to remember to reach out to veterans who don’t have the loud stories.
Yvette Moffatt, Regent of the DAR of the Kawaiisu chapter also spoke on the Red Poppies and read from the poem, written by Lt.Col. John McCrae, In Flanders Fields.
Pastor Jaime Lanza opened the event with prayer. And Pastor Ron Barker closed the event in prayer. Bishop Kevin Hinkey gave a spiritual message. Hinkey said, “Commander Grove said it so well. There’s a lot of quiet ones that have served and are hurting and they don’t ask for a lot. My take away today is I’m going to be more aware of those quiet ones and I’m going to do more both personally and as a congregation to seek them out.” Hinkey also said that he believes the United States was raised up out of oppression by the very hand of God.
The program for the event announced that Saturday December 14 is National Wreaths Across American Day Ceremony, at 9am, at the Cemetery. Volunteers would be placing wreaths on the gravestones of all veterans, who have passed, currently buried at the cemetery.
