Locals honor the service of veterans

Ten-year-old Riley Regular had a personal reason to wave his American flag as 50 people gathered at Santa Rosa’s Veterans Memorial Monument to watch the ceremonial raising of the American flag on Veteran’s Day.

“I’m here to honor my grandma and every one who served in our wars,” he said, noting his grandmother served as a nurse in the Vietnam War.”

Former Air Force Sgt. Jerry Shimmel, also a veteran of Vietnam, was pleased that Santa Rosa now has its own site to honor the nation’s veterans.

With the words “The Nation Which Forgets Its Defenders Will Itself Be Forgotten” inscribed on the back of his leather vest, Shimmel said, “I’m proud the city allows us to honor all the veterans who sacrificed their lives and the families of those (Iraq and Afghanistan service members) who are going through hell today.”

“It’s a day to thank veterans for their service,” said John Crooker, president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Redwood Empire Chapter 223, whose group sponsored Tuesday’s ceremonies.

It was the first official ceremony since the memorial, located on the southeast corner of City Hall, was dedicated July 2 to honor the 448 veterans who have died in war since the Philippines—American War in 1899.

Former Marine 1st Sgt. Ross Liscum, among a group of nine veterans who spent five years trying to get the memorial built, said the memorial served its purpose Tuesday.

“It’s all about having a place to pay our respects and reflect,” he said.

Other ceremonies are also being held today, including a Veterans Day parade in Petaluma, which begins at 1 p.m.