On Nov. 11 the City of El Cajon celebrated Veterans Day by holding its official ceremony for El Cajon Veterans at the Centennial Plaza .El Cajon City Council and El Cajon Veterans Commission organized the event, and several other important figures such as Rep. Susan Davis were present at the event.
The veteran’s commission awarded its Veteran of the Year award to Ray Moody, a retired chief.
On Nov. 11 the City of El Cajon celebrated Veterans Day by holding its official ceremony for El Cajon Veterans at the Centennial Plaza .El Cajon City Council and El Cajon Veterans Commission organized the event, and several other important figures such as Rep. Susan Davis were present at the event.
The veteran’s commission awarded its Veteran of the Year award to Ray Moody, a retired chief.
In the corner there was a dining table with a single seat in memory of the veterans whose lives were lost in the fight for freedom and justice. The table carried many symbols with a white tablecloth symbolizing innocence, a single rose that symbolized the families of those missed and a slice of lemon to symbolize the bitterness of the experience.
Hillsdale Middle School Symphonic Band, conducted by Spencer Caldwell played the national anthem and several patriotic melodies adding to a welcoming prideful atmosphere. And Grossmont High School Color Guard filled the area with red, white, and blue.
Several council members and veterans spoke to the audience about their experiences with the military and showed their gratitude towards our heroes. Councilmember Star Bales spoke about her life changing experience as an interpreter for the American army in the Iraq war
¨I was told ´I love you´ a lot by my family, but those people [veterans] showed me that they loved me. Everyday, I had breakfast lunch and dinner with them, they never said the words but they showed me,¨ she said.
But the message was clear from all, and that was a great thank you to the veterans who sacrificed their peace, comfort and many their lives to ensure America’s safety and freedom.
