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Politics & Government

Thousands Honor Veterans at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery's Memorial Day Observance

Dixon-based cemetery hosts annual observance.

Gusty winds did not deter the thousands of people who attended the Memorial Day Observance at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Monday morning.

As the American Flag flew at half-mast overhead, former military, current military and families quickly found seats as the 59th Army Band played patriotic songs. The crowd then fell silent as Master of Ceremonies Clyde B. Jones , Sr. MBA and former Lt. U.S. Navy, began introductions of local dignataries which were followed by the presentation of colors by the Jesse Bethel High School NJROTC Color Guard from Vallejo.

“We at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery work among our nation's past each and every day,” said Cynthia Nunez, cemetery director. “We understand what sacrifice is. All we have to do is look outside our offices any day of the week and we have a constant reminder of what we are here for. Rows and rows of headstones, each one marking the gravesite of an American hero. Personally, there is hardly a day that I do not say a prayer to those resting here as my country of origin, the Philippines was liberated by the Americans in World War II.”

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Nunez added she was not born then and therefore was spared the grief and misery of war but her father and grandfather would tell stories about the people they called the kindest on earth, the American veterans.

“And now, to be in a position to help and assist is my greatest joy,” Nunez said. “I am forever at your service. For those of you that are here today to honor friends and loved ones, I wish you comfort and peace of mind. For those of you that are here today to honor our heroes, I join you with pride. God bless you and your families and God bless our veterans and their families and may God continue to bless the United States of America.”

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Col. Dwight C. Sones, commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base began his speech by acknowledging those who are members of the armed forces by having them stand. He said Monday was his first time visiting the cemetery.

“Each time I visit a cemetery, I get a special feeling in my chest and in my heart and I'm feeling it as I speak to you today,” Sones said. “It is a familiar feeling for me. I was raised in the Washington DC area and on numerous occasions I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery with my family. I remember sitting in the backseat of our station wagon and that feeling would start to come over me as we drove on to Memorial Drive and the Arlington House would come into sight surrounded by a sea of more than 285,000 white, marble headstones.”

Sones added he and his brothers would walk among the headstones looking for names they could recognize.

“Among those headstones are former presidents,” he said. “Countless military heroes also call Arlington National Cemetery their final resting place. I distinctly remember that feeling as I approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was young at that time and didn't know what that feeling was. Was it sorrow? Was it grief or perhaps pride in the sacrifice made by individuals engraved on the headstone? Today, I tell my children sitting in the front row that is your heart recharging because you miss someone you love.”

Sones said he knows that each person in attendance has experienced that feeling in their hearts and at some point in their lives. They may even be feeling it at this moment.

“To me, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance,” he said. “A day for all Americans to recharge our hearts. A day to honor the generations of men and women who chose to serve in the armed forces to preserve the precious gifts of freedom and liberty that we enjoy today. On this and every Memorial Day that feeling that we as Americans get in our hearts and chests reminds us never to forget the significance and meaning of this special day.”

Following a musical medley of service songs, other speakers professed similar feelings including Rep. John Garamendi.

Bradley Phillips, Memorial Service Network 5 executive director of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs said he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be than at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

“Some of you have been coming here on Memorial Day since the cemetery opened in 2007,” he said. “In some cases you did that because your parents brought you to a national cemetery on Memorial Day to help you understand that freedom is not free. In other cases you are here because someone in your family, someone who raised their right hand, gave their life and is laying nearby. Regardless of the reason, we are all gathered here to pay our respects. To honor the fallen and to recognize that as Americans, we believe there are things worth fighting for and things that are even worth dying for.”

He added national cemeteries provide a record of sacrifice for future generations and provide a place for remembrances.

With a flyover by a KC-10 and the presentation of the wreath, the observance wound down as TAPS was played and a rifle salute by the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Honor Guard echoed in the distance.

As the crowd dispersed, many hugged and others spoke of their loved ones.

Virginia Patterson, 75, of Sacramento, said she attends every ceremony at the cemetery.

“My husband is buried here,”she said. “He is a veteran, 30-year from the United States Air Force and felt very privileged at the time to be buried here. They had just opened and he was seriously ill and said, 'That's where I'd like to be.' So I come all the time. ”

Hal M. Smith, 89, of Lake County, and a veteran of WWII, attended the observance as a way to honor his grandson who is buried at the cemetery and brothers who served.

“I am glad to be here,” he said.

Others wandered among the tombstones reading inscriptions.

“This is my closest friend,” said Bob Taylor, 67, of Sacramento. “He and I went into the service together. We went everywhere and shared our lives together. He died five years ago and 10 days after that his wife passed away. We were both in the same company in Vietnam and saw each other every day. He was from San Jose and we met when we went into the service and after that, we were friends forever.”

Taylor then leaned down and quietly placed a flag at the front of his friends tombstone.

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