SOLEDAD — Veterans Day events and ceremonies across the county were shut down this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, but Soledad residents were still able to thank local veterans and remember the fallen during a banner dedication ceremony at Cesar Chavez Park.
The Nov. 11 ceremony included color guards, the national anthem, speeches, a performance of taps and a remembrance of the contributions of veterans, in addition to recognizing the new banners along Front Street that feature 85 local veterans from different military branches.
Soledad Military Banner Group organized the project after Mayor Fred Ledesma, City Manager Brent Slama, Police Chief Damon Wasson, Assistant Chief Fred Lombardi and members from Soledad Post 32 of the American Legion took notice of how other cities chose to honor veterans.
The banner project was the first of its kind in Monterey County. The Banner Group worked with local agencies to identify veterans, and quickly filled to the capacity of 85 banners that could be displayed along Front Street.
Another 40 banners are being prepared, with more in the works and even more veterans being sought. The banners will rotate on Jan. 6, and will continue to rotate to honor area veterans.
“Veterans Day to me has two meanings, freedom and service,” said Tony Virrueta, a member of Post 32 and the Banner Group, during his speech. He added that the privileges of Americans “did not come free, it came off the work and sacrifice of our beloved service members of all eras and wars.”
Virrueta recognized the service of veterans and those currently serving for their contributions without complaint.
“You serve and fought alongside your brothers and sisters of all races and creeds,” he said. “I salute you all for your support and service. … Soledad has a rich history of veterans who served our country from all eras and those who are serving today.”
Virrueta read the names of all veterans on the banners before the crowd gathered at Cesar Chavez Park, which extended in spread-out groups throughout the lawn and numbered more than 100 in attendance.
“We can’t forget those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and those that have since passed,” Virrueta said. “As long as we speak of them, they’ll never be forgotten.”
The ceremony reached conclusion with a performance of taps.
The project included not only banners displayed along Front Street for all to see, but also a second phase, in which videos and information would be available at the Soledad Visitors Center, where people could learn more about local veterans.
“We pulled it off as a community, we pulled it off as our families here, and we did it together,” Virrueta said.
