2008 Woodie Awards
Lodi honors veterans
City holds Veteran's Day event at Kirst Hall
Stefanie Quashnick
Issue date: 11/19/04 Section: News
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While most Delta College students sat in class this Veterans' Day, local citizens observed the national holiday Nov. 11 with some Lodi area veterans, their families and fellow community members.
The Veterans' Day observance was originally planned to take place at the Lodi Area All Veterans Plaza; but because of rainy weather, the event relocated to Kirst Hall at Hutchins Street Square.
The ceremony commenced at 11 a.m. with a welcome from Capt. Robert Bechill, whose opening speech included thanks to all the individuals who helped put on the special event in honor of the veterans.
Next, Lodi's mayor, John Beckman, gave his own welcoming speech. Beckman made an analogy to the day's rainy weather changing the location to the fact that "Soldiers don't get to pick their battlefield [rain or shine]."
The Lincoln High School ROTC led the posting of the colors, and then the Girl Scouts of Lodi led the audience in reciting the pledge of alliance.
Christine Weid sang the National Anthem, and Reverend Wayne Kildall said an invocation for all veterans, past and present.
"No matter who the enemy," keynote speaker and Congressman Richard Pombo said, " ...every day people banded together to fight to preserve the union they inherited." Pombo mentioned that this year's Veterans' Day commemorated the federal holiday's 50th anniversary.
Originally set aside as Armistice Day back in 1919 to remember sacrifices made in World War I, Congress renamed it Veterans' Day in 1954, and President Richard Nixon declared it a federal holiday. Now Veterans' Day is celebrated every "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month," as a way for Americans to remember those who fought for peace.
"It's truly an honor for me to be here today," Pombo concluded, noting his pride in the men and women who serve in the nation's military. "Men and women are willing to give up their lives to preserve our union," Pombo said.
Paul Kuehn, one of many authors to compile a book called Distant Thunder: Recollections of Lodi Area Veterans, read several segments aloud. The book's writing team included Delta College students Michael Godwin, Bryan Tortolani, and Daniel Unger, as well as instructor Jennifer Holden.
The Veterans' Day observance was originally planned to take place at the Lodi Area All Veterans Plaza; but because of rainy weather, the event relocated to Kirst Hall at Hutchins Street Square.
The ceremony commenced at 11 a.m. with a welcome from Capt. Robert Bechill, whose opening speech included thanks to all the individuals who helped put on the special event in honor of the veterans.
Next, Lodi's mayor, John Beckman, gave his own welcoming speech. Beckman made an analogy to the day's rainy weather changing the location to the fact that "Soldiers don't get to pick their battlefield [rain or shine]."
The Lincoln High School ROTC led the posting of the colors, and then the Girl Scouts of Lodi led the audience in reciting the pledge of alliance.
Christine Weid sang the National Anthem, and Reverend Wayne Kildall said an invocation for all veterans, past and present.
"No matter who the enemy," keynote speaker and Congressman Richard Pombo said, " ...every day people banded together to fight to preserve the union they inherited." Pombo mentioned that this year's Veterans' Day commemorated the federal holiday's 50th anniversary.
Originally set aside as Armistice Day back in 1919 to remember sacrifices made in World War I, Congress renamed it Veterans' Day in 1954, and President Richard Nixon declared it a federal holiday. Now Veterans' Day is celebrated every "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month," as a way for Americans to remember those who fought for peace.
"It's truly an honor for me to be here today," Pombo concluded, noting his pride in the men and women who serve in the nation's military. "Men and women are willing to give up their lives to preserve our union," Pombo said.
Paul Kuehn, one of many authors to compile a book called Distant Thunder: Recollections of Lodi Area Veterans, read several segments aloud. The book's writing team included Delta College students Michael Godwin, Bryan Tortolani, and Daniel Unger, as well as instructor Jennifer Holden.