Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "veterans day"

Folsom Veterans Day Parade

2011-11-15T21:56:43Z

Folsom residents saluted its 11th annual Folsom Veterans Day Parade this past Friday. Parade participants gathered at the Target parking lot on Blue Ravine Road and made their way towards City Lions Park.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Saluting our Newest Generation of Warriors: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.”

Thousands watched the parade as representatives from the armed forces, the City of Folsom, scout groups, community organizations and residents participated in honoring those who have served our country.

Over 2,000 participants were involved in the parade. Representatives from various JROTC, ROTC, beauty pageants, youth sports and high school marching bands were also included.

People along the route were given small flags and some brought their own to watch the parade. Many large bags of candy and other items were given out to the many spectators along the route.

Floats were created and shown off by several local businesses, schools and military groups.

Many of the scout groups also handed out thank you cards and came up to veterans along the route shaking their hand and thanking them for their service. This gesture made this Veterans Day parade a little bit more personal.

The City Lions Park hosted a reception at the Community Center and served hot dogs and soda after the parade.

Marshalls of the parade, city officials, veterans, military representatives and community members gathered at the Folsom Veterans Memorial for a special service.

Folsom Veterans Day Memorial honors those who have lost their lives serving their country. A plaque on the Veterans Memorial is simple and reads:

In remembrance of all who have served...
especially of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Folsom Veterans Day Parade honors those whose name is inscribed on the memorial and all those who have made an ultimate sacrifice.

Courageous Veterans of Old City Cemetery

2011-11-15T06:10:53Z

With Veterans Day landing on a Friday this year it was conducive for many events honoring those who have served.

Somewhat under the radar, Old City Cemetery (OCC) gave visitors a tour of a few of the grave sites of Military Medal recipients fought in the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Spanish-American War. Amongst them they were recognized with these medals:
    •    2 - Medal of Honor
    •    2 - Distinguished Flying Cross
    •    6 - Silver Star
    •    23 - Bronze Star
    •    5 - Air Medal
    •    44 - Purple Heart.

Three volunteer tour guides took turns telling the stories of the circumstances surrounding the dead soldiers.
.
As we started walking we were told that "at one point, between the first and second World Wars, the city decided we needed a place to bury veterans who were not able to afford their own plots. In addition to the various grave sites throughout the cemetery, the city contributed the land in the back."

And, that's where we headed.On our journey, we tried to find the grave of a young man who was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

We were not able to find it. Many older plots with flat monuments sink into the ground and are covered over.

Two Medal of Honor Recipients were Newton T. Gould and Lebbeus Simkins.Here's some information about Simkins:
He was a coxswain, a crew member who is in charge of navigation and steering of the ship. He served aboard the ships USS Brooklyn, Richmond, Lancaster, North Carolina and Princeton.

The Richmond, the ship Simkins was on, opened fire on all of the confederate steamers in range and a battle began.

Simkins was awarded the Medal of Honor "for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Coxswain Simkins performed his duties with skill and courage throughout a furious two-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan."

It was during this time that Admiral Farragut, aboard the Hartford, made his famous command - "damn the torpedoes…..full speed ahead."

After the war he was a member of the San Diego Odd Fellows Lodge until he died in 1884.

For information about upcoming tours, visit http://www.oldcitycemetery.com/calendar.htm

Veterans Day parade in Sacramento

2011-11-12T04:07:43Z

This morning's Veterans Parade on Capitol Mall had a huge turnout.

It was Sacramento's first in about a decade. With Chuck Yeager, legendary test pilot and retired Air General, as the grand marshal how could it not be well attended?

There were over 67 entries from marching bands to Girl and Boy Scouts.

Sacramento Valley Veterans (SVV) was honored to be the leading Color Guard for this historic event.

“Sacramento Valley Veterans thanks the City of Sacramento for including us in this momentous occasion,” said SVV President Tyson Redhouse, “This is a great opportunity for the Sacramento community to come out and show support for our area’s Veterans and Servicemembers. We are honored to be a part of this year’s events.”

Also part of the parade were two Tuskegee Airmen, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knight of Columbus, Car Clubs, Aerospace Museum, pageant queens, military units and many more.

There were Children's activities and educational displays as well as entertainment.

Here's some photos:West Sacramento held their first ever Veterans Day parade.

Disclosure: I served in the US Navy from 1973-77.

Day is done, gone the sun

2011-11-12T01:39:48Z

Veterans Day 2011 ended with cloudy skies above the skyline. A fitting scene for the lyrics of the military song Taps:

"Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes from the hills from the sky, all is well, safely, rest, God is near.

Fading light, Dims the sight, And a star gems the sky Gleaming bright, From afar, Drawing, near, Falls the night.

Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun Neath the stars Neath the sky,

As we go, This, we, know, God is near."

Writing this I discovered how Taps came to be. See for yourself - CLICK HERE>>>

Sacramento parade to honor veterans

2011-11-07T04:54:31Z

Heroes past and present will be honored this Friday, November 11 at the Sacramento Veterans Day Parade.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. running eastward on Capitol Mall. A program is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. It will include resources for veterans, entertainment, and children’s activities.

The Grand Marshal is Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager.

Born in 1923 in Myra, W.Va., General Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September 1941. He was accepted for pilot training under the flying sergeant program in July 1942, and received his pilot wings and appointment as a flight officer in March 1943.

During World War II, General Yeager distinguished himself in aerial combat over France and Germany from 1943 to 1945. On March 5, 1944, he was shot down over German-occupied France, but escaped capture when elements of the French Maquis helped him reach the safety of the Spanish border. He returned to the United States in 1945.

Among his many accomplishments, General Yeager made world history on October 14, 1947 by becoming the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. He became commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School in July 1962.

General Yeager’s military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.

He was promoted to the grade of brigadier general effective August 1, 1969 (date of rank June 22, 1969), is a command pilot and has flown more than 10,000 hours in 155 different types of military aircraft.

For more information about General Yeager, visit the U.S. Air Force or his official website.

The Sacramento Veterans Day Parade is organized by the City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Division.

FREE CAR WASH FOR VETERANS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT ALL QUICK QUACK CAR WASH LOCATIONS

2011-11-04T17:11:07Z

Sacramento, CA – November 3, 2011 – Quick Quack Car Wash, a growing chain of exterior-only, express car washes, has announced that it will be offering a free car wash to all veterans and active military personnel on Veteran’s Day in conjunction with the nationwide “Grace for Vets” program.

Veterans may visit any of Quick Quack’s car wash locations from 7am to 7pm on Friday, November 11, 2011 to receive a complimentary wash. Customers will only need to inform Quick Quack employees verbally that they are veterans in order to receive their free car wash. Quick Quack has six locations in the Sacramento area including the newest location in Roseville. Addresses and directions can be found at www.DontDriveDirty.com or via the Quick Quack mobile app available on iPhone and Android.

“We are excited to again participate in this effort to pay tribute to some of our heroes,” said Jason Johnson, President and CEO of Quick Quack Car Wash. “Quick Quack Car Wash believes that it is important to remember those who have served our country as often as we can and this event on Veteran’s Day provides us a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation.”

Started in 2004, the “Grace for Vets” program is designed to honor Veteran’s Day, to show the car wash industry’s support for our armed forces personnel and to reward veterans for their service. “Grace for Vets” happens each year on Veteran’s Day. In 2010, the program reported record numbers. More than 1,200 car wash locations, representing more than 500 companies, washed 101,537 cars. This year, there are over 1,450 participating locations representing more than 620 companies.

Disclosure: Travis Kimball is the Marketing Director for Quick Quack Car Wash

Honoring our Veterans on Veterans Day

2010-11-13T20:52:45Z

A visitor to the All Wars Memorial in Capitol Park gazes at the tall sculpture on Veterans Day. Docents were on-hand to great visitors at the All Wars Veterans Memorial just off N St. on the Capitol Park Grounds.

Veterans, as well as non-veterans, gathered at the Mexican American Veterans Memorial at Capitol Park on Veterans Day for a ceremony honor those who had sacrificed their lives.

Someone had asked one of the event planners, "Why do you guys need a special memorial?," Pedro Hernandez explained to the crowd.

He said he thought about it for a minute and then replied, "I don't believe we need a special memorial or do we think that we are special?"

"We all deal with grief in our own ways, some through alcoholism, some by turning off life, some people do it any way they can," Hernandez said.

"But it was these women (the photos of mothers who lost sons in war are displayed to the right of Hernandez) that came together, some of them lost two sons, some of them lost three sons. Instead of turning to alcohol or drugs, they came together and said 'We cannot forget what our sons did.We cannot allow them not to be recognized. We cannot live the rest of our lives knowing they did what they needed to do and now it's our turn'."

Mary Salas holds a photo of War Mothers that was presented to her.

And these mothers of sons killed in WWII began to fund raise to create this memorial.

Hernandez said, "It is that we are special. That is why we need to be recognized. That is why we give our life to this country. And if my children, my grandchildren and their grandchildren give their lives to this country it is because it means that much to us."

This memorial is symbolic of what was happening throughout all of California when all Hispanic mothers lost their sons fighting for this country during WWII.

Assemblywoman Mary Salas, 79th assembly district, explained that those Mexican-American mothers created something so that their sons and daughters will never be forgotten.

A veteran salutes a memorial wreath presented by Irene Canseco and Angel Dhin.

"It gives me and our whole community such a sense of pride." Salas said. "Our country is sometimes filled with such controversy and negativity, and sometimes in politics somebody will use a group. They will say 'this group is not patriotic' or 'this group is a burden on our society.' "

"And quite frankly, many times the Latino community has been scapegoated as a problem," Salas explained. "When really we were the solution."

Not only the solution, but a part of the community that brought wealth to the state of California.

"We are a proud and patriotic people," Salas said. "Our people have contributed so much not only to the state of California but to the United States of America."

Vets and non-veterans attended the Veterans Day ceremony (above and below).

Some of the pictures and memorabilia placed at the base of the Mexican American Veterans Memorial.

A soldier salutes as Taps is played.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner, (US Navy veteran (1973-77))

Regicide at Arco

2010-11-12T01:16:24Z

In the NBA, more than any other sport, games are affected by the whims of the schedule makers.

In professional basketball, the home team wins more than 60 percent of the time, compared with about 58 percent of the time in the NFL, 55 percent in the NHL and 53 percent in MLB. (Oliver Entine, Deptartment of Statistics, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania).

So there's that, but then there are also the quirky irregularities of the schedule. Sometimes teams are made to play two nights in a row, while other times they'll get three nights off.

So sometimes, you'll have a team that is playing its second road game in 27 hours pitted against a team that has been chilling at home since its last game ended some 93 and a half hours earlier.

Needless to say, this bodes well for the home team.

And sometimes that road team will be the Minnesota Timberwolves, arguably the worst team in the NBA, coming off a hotly contested loss to the Lakers the night before and playing without their top two point guards.

And sometimes that home team will be YOUR Sacramento Kings.

This game, by all rights, and all measures, should have been a Kings victory.

No one told that to Michael Beasley and the suddenly game Timberwolves, however.

The former No. 2 pick of the Miami Heat, traded to Minny for a bag of rocks in an off-season salary dump that helped pave the way for Lebron’s talents to be taken to South Beach, came out on fire and pretty much stayed that way for the entirety of the Timberwolves’ 98-89 victory.

For a while he was doing it pretty much by himself. With 3:20 left in the first quarter, Beasley and the Kings were tied at 14 apiece. (The Wolves had 20).

Beasley and the Kings then traded a pair of baskets to knot it at 16 before Francisco Garcia put the Kings ahead of Beasley for good with a long three-pointer. Beasley answered with a jumper of his own to pull to within one, but after that, the Kings pulled away from the ’Wolves’ small forward.

Beasley finished the first half with 27 points (to the Kings’ 45), and the game with a career-high 42. He scored from all over the floor and seemingly at will. The Kings tried guarding him with five different players, none of which were effective.

"Obviously Michael Beasley is someone who we didn't have any success guarding against," said a very confounded-looking Kings head coach Paul Westphal in his postgame presser. "We tried everything we could try, and he had the answers."

It's a credit to how bad the Timberwolves (2-7) are that the Kings (3-4) never trailed by more than the nine points they lost by. The Kings shot 25 percent from the three-point line, 44 percent from the field, missed 12 free throws and had 19 turnovers.

Reigning Rookie of the Year and would-be Sacto savior Tyreke Evans had by far his worst game of the young season. He finished with five points on 1 of 5 shooting. He matched the points with five turnovers and trumped them both with six personal fouls, the final being an offensive foul (his third) with more than 10:30 to play in the game.

"Tyreke just had one of those games" Westphal offered by way of explanation.

With their main playmaker off the floor to end the game, the Kings appeared rudderless but somehow managed to hang in there behind the (relatively) inspired play of newcomer Samuel Dalembert, and, more to the point, the uber-lackadaisical effort by the ’Wolves. (My neighbor in the press box, a veteran of many more games than yours truly, was overcome about halfway through the fourth. "This is a horrible game" he said emphatically, shuddering).

With 5:11 to play, Dalembert made his second straight bucket and was fouled. The crowd was alive, and the center had the opportunity to make it a two-point game from the line, but he couldn't make the free throw.

Thirteen seconds later, Kevin Love was at the line completing a successful three-point play to extend the lead to six.
The next possession, Jason Thompson took an ill-advised, off-balance 18-footer that led to another quick Kevin Love basket in the paint, an eight-point Minny lead, and the game being, for all intents and purposes, over.

Now, I'm not saying that the Kings are a bad team, but good teams don't lose at home to bad teams on the second night of a back-to-back. They just don't.

You do the math.

Notes:

It was "Military Night" at Arco, among the festivities:

Before the opening tip, an Air Force airman rappelled from the rafters with the game ball.

At the end of the first quarter, the MC called for those in the crowd to recognize the veterans in attendance, which they did, resoundingly. It was a nice moment, but I found it a bit odd when he beseeched the crowd. "If you served in World War I or World War II, stand up and be recognized." If you served in either of the big ones, I think you can be recognized just fine from the comfort of your chair. (World War I ended 92 years ago. At least he didn't ask any Civil War vets to stand up. That would have been unrealistic.)

At halftime, 30 new Army recruits were sworn in.

At the end of the third quarter, an army lieutenant was given the opportunity to win a new car if he made a half-court shot. He missed. He was then given the opportunity to win $300 if he made a three-pointer. He missed. He was about to take a free throw for $100 when Joe Maloof, from his courtside seat, put the new car back on the table. He drained it, and the crowd went bonkers. By far the loudest applause of the night.

All the phots but one are the work of the supremely talented Ron Nabity. I bet you can guess which one.

If you wish to lavish praise or sling mud, feel free to drop me an email: lindol@gmail.com

Capitol Events this week

2010-11-10T00:50:40Z

Wednesday, Nov. 10
Noon - 2 p.m. The United States Marine Corps and Sgt. Brian Reimers will host a retirement ceremony of Master Sgt. Bill Johnson on the West Steps of the Capitol. About 150 people are expected to attend.

8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. The California Association for Bilingual Education will host a demonstration for parents and teach them about the value of a bilingual education on the lawn near the intersection of N and 15th streets. About 100 people are expected.

Thursday, Nov. 11
1 - 2:30 p.m. The California Mexican American Veterans will host a Veterans Day celebration at the Veterans Memorial. About 250 people are expected.

2,500 sq.ft. Playground to be Constructed by Volunteers

2010-11-08T21:20:20Z

THE HOME DEPOT, KaBOOM! AND ASPIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS JOIN FORCES TO BUILD A NEW PLAYGROUND ON VETERAN’S DAY

WHAT: More than 200 volunteers from The Home Depot, Aspire Public Schools, and organizers from the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! will join together to build a state-of-the-art, 2,500 square foot playground in one day. The playground will provide a safe, fun environment for the children in the community. The playground will also celebrate Veteran’s Day as veterans from the area will assist in the building of the playground.

When a former private high school on El Camino Avenue in Sacramento closed, the Aspire Public Schools organization purchased the 9 acre campus and opened Alexander Twilight College Prep Academy, one of the newest charter schools in the region. As a former High School only, the campus lacks playground equipment for the younger children, which will be remedied thanks to this project.

The playground is funded through a $65,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation and the parents and community volunteers from Aspire Schools/Alexander Twilight College Prep Academy also raised $7,500 to support the playground construction. As a founding partner of KaBOOM!, The Home Depot provides financial support, materials and numerous volunteers for playground projects across North America as part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities its stores serve. As official Sustainability Partners, The Home Depot and KaBOOM! work to make sure each playground project is as environmentally friendly as possible as well as educating children and communities about this important issue. For this project, all materials will be recycled and any unused materials remaining after the completion of the build will be donated to other organizations.

WHERE: Alexander Twilight College Prep Academy ● 2360 El Camino Avenue ● Sacramento

WHEN: Thursday, November 11

8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Project Kick-Off
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Best visuals of playground construction
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Final construction phase and adjustments
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. “Board-Cutting" closing ceremony
(Note: All times approximate)

INFO: About The Home Depot Foundation
Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. The Foundation’s goal is for all families to have the opportunity to live in healthy, efficient homes they can afford over the long-term; to have access to safe, vibrant parks and greenspaces; and to receive the economic, social and environmental benefits of living in a sustainable community. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 homes, planted more than 1.2 million trees, and built or refurbished more than 1875 playgrounds, parks and greenspaces. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter homedepotfdn.

About KaBOOM!
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play. Through community building, the organization is focused on giving every child in America a great place to play within walking distance. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,900 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, free online trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and Playmakers – a national network of individual advocates for play. KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

Disclosure: This is content from a press release, not authored by Tony Sheppard - but it seemed to be of relevant local interest.

FREE CAR WASH FOR VETERANS ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT ALL QUICK QUACK CAR WASH LOCATIONS

2010-11-02T22:41:14Z

Sacramento, CA – November 2, 2010 – Quick Quack Car Wash, a growing chain of exterior-only, express car washes, has announced that it will be offering a free car wash to all veterans on Veteran’s Day in conjunction with the nationwide “Grace for Vets” program. Veterans may visit any of Quick Quack’s facilities from 7am to 7pm on Thursday, November 11, 2010 to receive a complimentary wash. Customers will only need to inform Quick Quack employees verbally that they are veterans in order to receive their free car wash.

“Quick Quack Car Wash believes that it is important to remember those who have served our country and we are proud to join in this effort by professional car washes across the country,” said Jason Johnson, President and CEO of Quick Quack Car Wash.

Started in 2004, the Grace for Vets program is designed to honor Veteran’s Day, to show the car wash industry’s support for our armed forces personnel and to reward veterans for their service. Grace for Vets happens each year on Veteran’s Day. This year over 1100 locations in all 50 states will be participating with the goal of providing over 100,000 total free car washes for veterans.

Quick Quack has five Sacramento area locations including Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Foothill Farms, North Highlands and South Natomas. Additional information including location addresses are available online at www.DontDriveDirty.com.

Travis Kimball is a Part Owner and Marketing Director of Quick Quack Car Wash

Veterans' Day

2009-11-12T04:17:32Z

A Veterans' Day ceremony was held at the California Mexican-American Veterans’ Memorial, directly across the street of the west steps of the Capitol. All United States veterans were honored.

It began with the United States Marine Color Guard and the National Anthem.

Daughters of War Mothers were presented a California Legislature Assembly Resolution by Mary Salas, 79th assembly district, honoring

'Sociedad de Madres Mexicanas for its support of our Mexican American veterans'.

Brigadeer General Robert Cervantes (Ret.) spoke about "Coming together for one Cause".

A young boy's attention is directed at the USMC Color Guard standing at attention.

Some of the veterans who were there today.

Photos | Kati Garner

U.S. Navy Veteran (1973-77)

What's happening at the Capitol: November 10

2009-11-11T00:45:34Z

Wednesday, Nov. 10

1 - 2 p.m. In honor of Veterans Day, Mexican-American Veteran Memorial, Inc., will hold a memorial service at the California Veterans Memorial for about 50 people.

No further events until Saturday, Nov. 14.