VALLEJO, CA — The Vallejo Warriors’ Memorial came alive with reverence and pride as about 200 community members gathered for the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.
Warlito Moises - a U.S. Navy Seabee Vietnam War veteran, past American Legion (TAL) Dept. of California District 5 and Manuel L Quezon (MLQ) Post 603 commander, and son of a WWII veteran - emceed the event. Moises quipped that one positive change for veterans is that 60 years ago when coming home from Vietnam, protesters yelled obscenities and pelted eggs on his bus; but now veterans are thanked for their service and even offered complimentary meals at many restaurants.
The ceremony featured stirring prayers by Mike Brown, 22-year Navy Submarine Service veteran, City of Vallejo chaplain, and Post 603 life member, parade of the colors by Scouting America Vallejo Troop 7012 Scouts, the national anthem fervently sung by former Councilmember Tom Bartee, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by U.S. Army veteran and Post 603 Commander Raymond Hart.
Distinguished speakers included Mayor Andrea Sorce, City Manager Andrew Murray and Solano Supervisor Cassandra James. Mel Orpilla read a letter from U.S. Rep. John Garamendi. All of them thanked all veterans for their service, valor, sacrifice and ongoing contributions to the community, and also urged everyone to match veterans’ military service with acts of gratitude and for government agencies to improve access to health care, housing, education and employment.
Manuel Concepcion, a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant (E-7), was squared away in his dress blues and his Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for Valor, Purple Heart and other medals. His speech was about the 250th birthdays of the Navy and Marine Corps and their storied connection with the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo.
The ceremony concluded with the wreath-laying, the sounding of taps by U.S. Navy veteran Kari Lacy, and the benediction. The video posted at https://www.youtube.com/@nestoraliga7537 includes a sample resolution and program.
Post 603 was chartered on March 31, 1945. and spearheaded the "Purple Heart" designations for the City of Vallejo, Vallejo City Unified School District, Greater Vallejo Recreation District, Touro University California, California State University - Maritime Academy, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, all first on the West Coast.