Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Veterans watching over the cemetery on Monday were, from left, James Patterson (Army), Chuck Sobolewski (Air Force), Steven Reveles (Army), Robert Martinez (Army), Tony Stout (Army), and standing in the back is VFW Commander James Medrano (Army).
Air Force SMSgt. (Retired) Mariana Sobolweski ran the flag around the veterans' seating area.
A memorial plaque, wreath and picture for honored veteran Larry S. Pierce.
Air Force MSgt. (Retired) Chuck Sobolweski played taps every hour.
Even though the annual Wasco Memorial Day ceremony was canceled, members of the Wasco Veterans of Foreign Wars honored their comrades by standing watch over the gravesites.
The veterans arrived at scattered times in accordance with coronavirus restrictions and took turns standing watch over the gravesites. Every hour, Air Force MSgt. (Retired) Chuck Sobolewski played Taps, while his wife, Air Force MSgt. (Retired) Mariana Sobolewski ran around the cemetery carrying a large American flag.
Members of the VFW placed helmets and rifles in front of the granite slabs that marked where the ceremony is usually held each Memorial Day.
Ceremony or no, the meaning of the day wasn't lost on the veterans who came to the cemetery.
"I remember when I was 12 years old," said VFW Commander James Medrano, an Army veteran, "and soldiers came to my house to tell my sister that her husband had been killed in Vietnam. I didn't know what was happening but my father, being an Army man, knew."
Medrano said that each year the VFW honors and recognizes a veteran. This year that honor went to Larry S. Pierce, who was killed in Vietnam. Pierce was cited for bravery while serving in the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173d Airborne. He was a squad leader in a reconnaissance platoon when his patrol was ambushed. He displayed inspiring leadership.
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