Veterans from All Branches Honored at Unveiling of Freedom Wall

Veteran's Day 2015 was the delivery of the first installment of a promise made four years ago with the ground breaking of the Veterans Wall of Freedom on Nov. 11, 2011. Who among us is not related to a veteran, and if not directly related have a friend who is a veteran? The park was filled with people who came to the ceremony with their own memories of those who have gone before or are continuing to fight for the freedom that each of us enjoys every day. This monument is a tribute to these people. All veterans of all branches of the United States military were honored with a Veterans Day ceremony in Pico Park in Grand Terrace, on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Foundation President, Tom Rice, who introduced the emcee for the ceremony Veterans Wall of Freedom Committee chairman, Robert Lavin. Colton High School Jr. ROTC Cadets performed the Posting of Colors and later in the program performed the Presentation of Wreath. The invocation was offered by Paster Alger Keough of Azure Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Immediate Past Lions President and local business owner Deborah Seuylemezian. Singing Group, Alive in the Lights performed the National Anthem. Valery Holmes conducted a moving POW/MIA Ceremony. Guest speakers included Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe, Assembly member Cheryl Brown, Senator Connie Leyva, Supervisor James Ramos and U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar. Veterans Wall Committee member Jim McNaboe, before leading the unveiling of the monument, gave an update on the Veterans Wall of Freedom project status, thanked all sponsors and specifically named the Silver, Gold, and Freedom level sponsors. Finally, he highlighted the contributions from Mrs. Aschenbrener's second grade class at Terrace View Elementary by reading a letter written by one of the students. McNaboe explained he has been asked to make sure these letters, carefully written by these kids thanking veterans for all that they had done, were personally handed to veterans in the audience before the ceremony.