Community Pays Tribute to Veterans

Pandemic precautions prevented the community from gathering in person to thank current and former military service members on Veterans Day, so the city took its annual celebration to virtual space to convey the heartfelt sentiment.

A Veterans Day commemoration was aired both online and on local access TV, featuring statements from a host of speakers interlaced with footage from previous events — such as a color guard ceremony, an aircraft flyover, and a rendition of the National Anthem — held prior to social distancing measures.

Mayor Terry Tornek read the city’s Veterans Day proclamation and offered his gratitude to the nation’s warriors.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us, some tragically, certain things remain the same,” he said. “As a people, we must take the time to recognize those who have served the nation: The veterans.”

Countless Pasadena residents “have served the armed forces with courage and distinction,” he said.

Staff Sgt. Shamoneka Collins of 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines based in Pasadena was the keynote speaker. Collins has been on active duty for more than a decade.

“I am honored to share my appreciation for those who paved the path before me and allowed me to wear this uniform I now stand in,” she said.

She spoke of three characteristics that unite all veterans, from all times, from all branches.

“Commitment, sacrifice, selfless service,” she said. “Veterans of the past, present and future came from all walks of life, but these three attributes can be found in all who served. They will be committed to the values that this country holds and will support and defend this country long after they’ve hung up the uniform.”

The sacrifices made by military men and women, from missed holidays and anniversaries to laying down their lives, “has been done in service to their fellow brothers and sisters who wear the uniform next to them, to the citizens of this great nation, but most of all, to the values that this great country represents,” Collins said.

“Let us not forget the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters who answered the call to service and selflessly risked their lives and sacrificed in the pursuit of continued freedom,” she said.

Lt. Col Rudy Salcido of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines in Pasadena offered gratitude to fellow veterans.

“On behalf of the Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines — your Pasadena Marines — we extend our gratitude to our Pasadena veterans and veterans across our amazing country and globe,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger were among the dignitaries who shared their reflections on the meaning of Veterans Day and offered words of gratitude for the nation’s military.

Pasadena Police Department Cpl. and retired Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Joaquin Gurrola spoke of transitioning from one uniform to another but maintaining a sense of duty and service.

“The veteran’s military training brings a special skill set to their Police Department in the form of leadership, maturity, self-discipline, and poise under pressure,” Gurrola said. “Exposure to a wide variety of people and cultured in a myriad of situations from peacekeeping to warfighting positions a veteran to be a well-rounded officer who is able to engage the community with compassion.

“When a veteran officer hears the words ‘thank you for your service,’ we are grateful, and it motivates us to be better stewards of our community,” Gurrola said.

Harold Martin, a Pasadena City College psychology professor and Vietnam veteran with 20 years of experience in the U.S. Army, said Nov. 11 has additional personal significance for him.

It was the day he arrived in Vietnam, as well as the day he was promoted to the rank of captain, he said.

Veterans Day falls on the day World War I came to an end in 1918.

“Nov. 11 was set aside, originally, as a day of peace, and then it morphed into a day to honor veterans. In keeping with the original purpose, I think a good way to honor veterans is to work hard at making sure we don’t have more of them fighting and dying in wars,” Martin said.

“Another good thing to do to honor veterans is to serve and support them upon their return to society,” he said.

“Most veterans benefited from the time of their service. They were strengthened by it,” he said. “However, for significant numbers of others, the sacrifices and aftermath have rendered them needing assistance, sometimes for years.”

“My generation was not honored or helped enough, and the consequences of that neglect are still with us,” Martin said.

That’s why he said he established a club for veterans on campus at PCC in 2006, then began teaching courses to help student veterans readjust back to civilian life in 2008, as more and more students were returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“For over 10 years, the campus has had a Veterans Resource Center that has been a model, not just for California, but for the entire country,” he said.

“It has been my honor, my pleasure, to be able to give back and see veterans thrive in a community that has been supportive of them,” Martin said.

A schedule of replays of the ceremony will be posted at pasadenamedia.org/arroyo, city officials said.