GONZALES — Last Friday morning the City of Gonzales, American Legion Post 81 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 81 hosted the second annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Central Park in Gonzales.
This year’s event once again featured the unveiling of new signs paying tribute to the sacrifice of local veterans through the Hometown Heroes program. Veteran signs from last year were also displayed.
Gonzales Mayor Pro Tem Liz Silva, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, was pleased that the Auxiliary was able to assist veterans and their families with paying for the signs.
“The cost of the signs was $55 and we let the City of Gonzales know that the Auxiliary would like to contribute $10 to help offset the cost for each veteran,” Silva said. “American Legion Post 81 also contributed $10 for each sign to keep each sign at $35. My work with the Auxiliary involves veterans and rehabilitation, and as long as we fundraise to help with the cost of the signs, we’ll continue to do that.”
Other Gonzales councilmembers attending the Nov. 7 event were Maria Orozco and Lorraine Worthy, along with Mayor Jose Rios. Representing the City of Gonzales was City Manager Carmen Gil.
Silva stated that she is proud of all veterans, especially her family members that were honored at Friday’s ceremony. During the event, she announced the names of all the veterans that were honored at Central Park.
“My mother Annie Silva likes to honor my father Charles Silva at veteran events,” Silva said. “My father served in the U.S. Navy and my other family members were in the U.S. Army. There were signs posted for my uncles Art and Joe Marquez, my cousin Eddie Blanco, my uncle Daniel Marquez and my uncle Alex Pinon. My dad had various jobs, but the one he talked about the most was being the admiral’s driver whenever they were at port. He served as the war ended (1945-47). My uncle Art Marquez was in the Tank Battalion and fought on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day.”
Gonzales resident Georgiana Skinner attended the event to honor her father Edward Guzman, who served in the U.S. Army.
“This was my first time attending the ceremony and we really appreciate the City of Gonzales for hosting it,” Skinner said. “I am also thankful to the American Legion Post 81 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 81 for helping offset the price of the signs. My dad served from October 1942 to September 1945. He was shot while in New Guinea. I am very proud of my dad and proud that he served. I wear his dog tags as a necklace. He served with the U.S. 1881st Engineer Aviation Battalion.”
