By CRISTINA M. GARCIA
Special to the NEWS
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, a ceremony dedicated to the community’s veterans will transpire.
The Veterans Advisory Board was first formed 11 years ago. Current Chairman Victor Gaza, Vice Chair Charlie Wilson, and members Sandra Tumberlinson, Ovidio Gonzalez, and Sergeant Vidal Vega have together spearheaded the construction of the San Benito Veterans War Memorial, where the ceremony will be held on Monday.
It will not, however, be the memorial’s inaugural ceremony as that is scheduled for July 4.
As part of the Memorial Day observance, the annual silent march will commence promptly at 8:50 a.m. this Monday. The march will begin at city hall and will proceed down Sam Houston Boulevard toward the Veterans War Memorial.
“What we do is we march in honor of fallen comrades who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We ask the public to meet at City Hall, those who have MIA or Killed in Action,” Garza said. The march will be lead by the local police and firemen. Jess Milligan, the director in charge of the Veteran Affairs, will be speaking at the ceremony and the board is hoping to get a confirmation from a local singer.
The neighboring communities are also encouraged to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony. “Not only the city of San Benito, but we represent the surrounding areas. All the surrounding areas should help honor our veterans, not only the ones who paid the ultimate price, but also our living veterans,” Gonzalez said.
The Veterans Advisory Board is diligently working toward the completion of all aspects of the Veterans War Memorial. “We are still not completed, and we are lacking funding to finish the memorial. The money from the bricks come from the Veterans Advisory Board,” Garza said.
Once complete, the Veterans War Memorial will stand as a reminder in commemoration of the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their life for our freedoms.
“We need to thank the fallen soldiers. A lot of people tend to forget what their sacrifice was, and we are left behind to thank them,” Garza said.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the May 29 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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