Veterans Day Observance Highlights the Wall of Freedom Memorial

The Grand Terrace Veterans Day observance was presented to the veterans in the city by the Veterans Wall of Freedom Committee and the Foundation of Grand Terrace at Pico Park. The opening remarks were made by the Foundation President, Darcy McNaboe, who explained the purpose and overall resolve the Foundation had in supporting the Freedom Wall being built at the park, hopefully by next Veterans Day in 2015. The Foundation provides the vehicle (non-profit status/501c3) for groups or individuals to donate monies to the project and be able to deduct the amount from their taxes. McNaboe stated, “The Grand Terrace Foundation is a part of a larger foundation in Riverside and they assist in the management the funds that are donated for specific causes.” After the opening remarks, the microphone was passed over to the Ceremony Chairman Bob Lavin, who has been the leader of the committee trying to get the Freedom Wall funded and built. Lavin proceeded to introduce the posting of colors by the Colton High School Jr. ROTC Cadets, Pastor Andy McCrae who gave the invocation, Councilwoman Jackie Mitchell who gave the Pledge of Allegiance, and Janelle Good who followed the pledge with the National Anthem. At the conclusion of the National Anthem, Lavin introduced the first guest speaker of the day, State Assembly Member Cheryl Brown, 47th District. Brown said she was proud to be there on Tuesday, to “Honor my grandfather who served this nation in World War I," her father who served in World War II and her brothers who served in the Vietnam War. "I want to honor those members of this veteran committee who have served this nation honorably: Bob Lavin, Dwayne Lamb, Jim McNaboe, Don Larkin, Jim Miller, Mickey Bubier and Mayor Walt Stanckewitz and thank them for their continued service for all veterans. The Wall of Freedom, which will be built at this site in Pico Park, will represent the names of each of the veterans along with the branch of service and time period each of them served for both the veterans and their family members to observe. On behalf of a grateful nation, we thank all of the veterans here today and in the past.” The second guest speaker was Valerie Holmes representing the Blue Star Mothers H.O.M.E. (Hearts of Mothers Embraced) who reinforced the mission of the organization, which is to support each other while supporting our troops, our veterans, our severely wounded heroes and our Gold Star Families—the families of those who have lost their life while on active duty. Holmes currently has a son in the service and she has had a whole family of military service veterans. She encouraged other mothers, godmothers, aunts and grandmothers to look into becoming a Blue Star Mother Associate. Finally, the last speaker was Ashley Rivera, who was the Veterans Essay winner for this event. Rivera wrote a tribute to her great-grandfather who served in the military and received many medals of valor. The veterans ceremony was concluded with a presentation of the wreath by the Colton High School Jr. ROTC Cadets and Grand Terrace High School Cheerleaders and Harry Holmes playing TAPs. There were between 50 to 75 people who were in attendance at this most prestigious event.