Veterans
Day Weekend in the San Diego North County
By Roy Cook We were in the mist of courage and among many American Patriots of the hills and the valleys. Pauma reservation re-dedicated their Veterans memorial tribute in the Tribal cemetery 11/9/13 at 11am.
Honor guard, firing squad and bugler were under the direction of the American Indian Veterans Association, AIVA. It is led by Ben Magnate from Pauma, US Army Korean conflict veteran. A.I.V.A Color Guard/Honor Guard members include: Ervin Morales/USA La Jolla, Tim Ravago/USA Pala, Al Golding/USN/Mesa Grande, Felix Pena/USMC Mesa Grande, David Duro/USA Pala, Elizabeth Kolb/USA Rincon, Adam Rodrigues/USA 82nd Airborne, Abel Rodrigues, Virgil Osuna/USA Santa Ysabel. Also, MIA - Andy Wilson/USA Santa Ysabel, Kyle Feldt/USA Pala, Lalo Rodrigues/USA 82nd Airborne.
Many of these men I grew up with on the Santa Ysabel Reservation all served in the military during the Vietnam era. Some of the older boys then, men now, saw service in the Korean era. Every so often one or two of the WW II veterans will come around. What is most remarkable is how many volunteered to serve from a relatively small population on the 21 bands of tribal Americans in San Diego County. Pauma family members checked carefully for their family members names in the black granite donated by the Pyramid Company. It was stated that the granite would be replaced with a brass plate in the future and everyone was asked to inform the committee for better accuracy on the future brass version.
The AIVA color Guard brought in the colors and firing squad for a rifle salute. They also led the Pledge of Allegiance and the priest provides the prayer and blessed the monument. |