It was a bright clear morning after 9:00 today when a white single engine vintage military aircraft flew over Veterans park in the north end of DHS and then banked off in the distance over North Palm Springs. This was the start of the 9:30 A.M. ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers who devoted their lives to our Country.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Desert Hot Springs Veteran and purple heart recipient Edward G. Johnson.
It was a pleasant ceremony that went by all too quickly. In fact it seemed like it wasn’t long enough to be honest with you. With the intention on remembering the fallen soldiers from Wars that America has been involved in or simply serving in the military, it didn’t seem like enough time was taken to develop a real sense of reflection towards the soldiers we’ve lost.
But that’s another discussion.
Today’s ceremony gave us a few speakers who spoke about various things centered naturally on memorializing the fallen soldiers. There was a leader of a local JROTC faction that spoke of her days serving in a division that dealt with casualties and identifying remains of soldiers. Among her various recollections centered around her service to our country she spoke of her experience being part of a procession that carried a fallen soldiers remains from Los Angeles to Bakersfield and how people lined bridges to see the line of cars pass by. She touched more than a few hearts in attendance there today.
There was an A Capella medley of verses from familiar patriotic songs sung by a 73 year old veteran. A septuagenarian proud of how he can still hit the high notes.
Eddie Johnson spoke of his 5 pillar granite and marble columns he is spearheading to get built in the city. He asked for donations to be dropped in the container that was being carried around after the ceremony.
Lastly we heard a beautiful rendition of “taps” performed by a local grade school young man on a polished horn instrument. Everyone there stood quietly at attention during while this song was played.
There were several what they called “dignitaries” in attendance including current and former city council members but most importantly to me were the Veterans quietly sprinkled around the park facing the stage. Just average looking former soldiers and servicemen and women who either wore their ball type caps that named where they served or simply not wearing anything that identified them as Veterans.
There were people there that don’t draw attention to themselves but should be noted as being there. So to all the Veterans that were there who we could tell were Veterans by some sort of markings on their clothing, thank you for your service as we remember the fallen soldiers.
And especially, thank you to the Veterans who were there that we could not tell were Veterans. We couldn’t tell because you did not have visible identifiable regalia on because you keep that you served to yourselves, a thank you to you all as well.
