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A day of remembrance

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Memorial Day is a day of commemoration, not celebration, said speakers at Ramona VFW Post 3783’s ceremony at Nuevo Memory Gardens on Monday morning.

“Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance,” said master of ceremonies Mark Gottas, president of the post’s men’s auxiliary. “America’s collective consciousness drives its citizens to recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen who have served their country with honor...Remember them today — their commitment, patriotism and sacrifice.”

Nearly 300 people sat or stood during the hour-and-a-half ceremony. Featured speakers were Congressman Duncan D. Hunter and his father, former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter. Both are veterans.

On Sept. 12, 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks on the United States, Duncan D. Hunter resigned his job and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. The decorated Marine represents the 50th District in Congress, where he serves on the Armed Forces, Education and Transportation committees.

His father served in the U.S. Army as part of the 75th Rangers Regiment attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, attended college on the G.I. Bill before being admitted to the California Bar in 1976, and won election to Congress in 1981 until he ran for president in 2006.

Duncan D. Hunter’s voice broke several times with emotion as he shared the account of two young combat Marines killed while standing guard at an outpost in Ramadi, when a truck sped toward them and exploded. Their actions saved 50 Marines and 100 Iraqi police housed in makeshift barracks. Several Iraqi police interviewed later admitted they ran from the truck, “like any normal man would to save his life.”

Marine Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who interviewed the Iraqi officers who ran, reported that one of them said, “Sir, in the name of God no sane man would have stood there and done what they did.”

A security camera recorded the April 22, 2008, suicide attack. It took six seconds from when the truck entered the alley until it detonated. The recording showed the two Marines firing their weapons non-stop. They never hesitated, stepped aside or even shifted their weight, the camera showed.

“With their feet spread shoulder width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing as fast as they could work their weapons,” reported Kelly, whose son had died in combat four days before he eulogized the two Marines.

Hunter followed his account by saying “we are not glamorizing war,” but rather testifying that “we have what it takes.”

His father followed by saying that every Memorial Day needs a message. His message on this Memorial Day was: “Stay strong. This country needs to remain strong.” He quoted George Washington, the nation’s first president, as saying, “The best way to prevent war is to prepare for one.”

“We have to make sure we are prepared more than ever,” he said, citing numerous moves by China and terrorist threats in the Middle East as among reasons.

The ceremony continued as JJ Lemire, ladies auxiliary president, and Kory Martenson, auxiliary chaplain, placed a wreath at the grave of the Unknown as “Taps” played. Ramona High Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Commander Kiana Carlstrom served as bugler.

Miss Ramona Chersten Sandvik, Teen Miss Ramona Ashley Dominguez and state VFW Senior Vice Commander Dale Smith then presented flowers to Gold Star Mother Maria Ojeda and Gold Star Grandmother Ruth Warnock. Ojeda’s son, U.S. Army Spc. 4 Ramon C. Ojeda, was killed in action in Amarah, Iraq, on May 1, 2004. Warnock’s grandson, U.S. Army Cpl. Jeremiah Santos, was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 15, 2006.

Continuing the post’s annual tradition, all those who served or are serving in the military stood and gave their name, branch of service, campaign served in, and time served. Sixty-two men and women stood.

Before the conclusion of the ceremony, the VFW presented gifts to Boy Scout Troop 768, Ramona High’s NJROTC and NJROTC Cadet Wesley Richardson. The Scouts placed flags and Buddy Poppies at the graves of the 596 veterans buried in Nuevo Memory Gardens, and they distributed programs at the ceremony. NJROTC cadets helped with the Buddy Poppy Drive and during the ceremony by presenting and retiring the colors, and Richardson sang the national anthem at the event.

Before the ceremony closed, VFW Post 3783 Commander Doug Scholl reported that the weekend’s Buddy Poppy Drive raised $11,818 to aid veterans and veterans’ families in need.

The VFW also held ceremonies at the World War II monument on Ninth Street and the Vietnam Memorial at Schwaesdall Winery on state Route 67 on Monday. The post then hosted a Memorial Day community picnic that started at 1 p.m. in the Bobby Watt Memorial Park at 2247 Kelly Ave.

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