thedrifter
02-21-09, 08:48 AM
Buellton honors one of its own
By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer
A yellow ribbon waved in the gentle afternoon breeze, tied to a holly oak tree planted in the Sculpture Garden median on the Avenue of Flags in Buellton.
The tree had been planted in honor of Marine Cpl. Aaron Allen of Buellton, who was killed Nov. 14 by a roadside explosive near Fallujah, Iraq.
About 40 people gathered Thursday to dedicated the tree and a plaque and to say a few words about the lifelong Buellton resident, mostly about his dedication to his country and their memories of his life growing up in the Valley. Allen, 24, was a 2002 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and was the school’s first alumnus to die while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“It is an honor to be able to plant a tree here on the avenue, which is the heartbeat of the community, and this plaque that will be here forever so people will be able to feel his presence,” said Victoria Pointer, a city council member and a friend of the Allen family.
The Marine’s mother, Cathy Allen, thanked those who have showed their support for the family, and said she didn’t know where she would be without them. She paused to wipe away tears, and received hugs from those around her.
“Aaron was a special young man. He will be missed but never forgotten,” said Dave Smith, another friend of the family and a veteran himself.
Bruce Porter said that the tree and plaque are just a small piece of how the community feels.
Allen attended Jonata School in Buellton from kindergarten through eighth grade and then moved on to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, where he was a member of the school’s football, baseball and wrestling teams.
“My children went to school with Aaron, and he touched many lives in his short time here. He will be missed,” Pointer said.
Allen was assigned to the Marine Corps Security Forces 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, at Camp Pendleton near San Diego and had been previously assigned in Georgia and Virginia during his enlistment, which began in March 2004 and was due to end in March 2009.
Allen is survived by his mother, Cathy, and sister Amy Allen, who live in Buellton.
He is also survived by his father, Michael Allen of Highland, Calif., grandmother Linda Fenton of Indio, Calif., his half-brother Michael Allen of Seattle and half-sister Tamie Anderson of Ontario, Calif.
Staff writer Julian Ramos contributed to this story.
February 21, 2009
Ellie
By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer
A yellow ribbon waved in the gentle afternoon breeze, tied to a holly oak tree planted in the Sculpture Garden median on the Avenue of Flags in Buellton.
The tree had been planted in honor of Marine Cpl. Aaron Allen of Buellton, who was killed Nov. 14 by a roadside explosive near Fallujah, Iraq.
About 40 people gathered Thursday to dedicated the tree and a plaque and to say a few words about the lifelong Buellton resident, mostly about his dedication to his country and their memories of his life growing up in the Valley. Allen, 24, was a 2002 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and was the school’s first alumnus to die while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“It is an honor to be able to plant a tree here on the avenue, which is the heartbeat of the community, and this plaque that will be here forever so people will be able to feel his presence,” said Victoria Pointer, a city council member and a friend of the Allen family.
The Marine’s mother, Cathy Allen, thanked those who have showed their support for the family, and said she didn’t know where she would be without them. She paused to wipe away tears, and received hugs from those around her.
“Aaron was a special young man. He will be missed but never forgotten,” said Dave Smith, another friend of the family and a veteran himself.
Bruce Porter said that the tree and plaque are just a small piece of how the community feels.
Allen attended Jonata School in Buellton from kindergarten through eighth grade and then moved on to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, where he was a member of the school’s football, baseball and wrestling teams.
“My children went to school with Aaron, and he touched many lives in his short time here. He will be missed,” Pointer said.
Allen was assigned to the Marine Corps Security Forces 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, at Camp Pendleton near San Diego and had been previously assigned in Georgia and Virginia during his enlistment, which began in March 2004 and was due to end in March 2009.
Allen is survived by his mother, Cathy, and sister Amy Allen, who live in Buellton.
He is also survived by his father, Michael Allen of Highland, Calif., grandmother Linda Fenton of Indio, Calif., his half-brother Michael Allen of Seattle and half-sister Tamie Anderson of Ontario, Calif.
Staff writer Julian Ramos contributed to this story.
February 21, 2009
Ellie