thedrifter
11-11-08, 07:49 AM
It's a banner day for 3 Marines, 38 others
Santa Paula honors military
By Carolyn Quinn
cquinn@VenturaCountyStar.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gabriel Salazar Jr., David Silva and Michael Perez all grew up in Santa Paula. They all joined the Marines, and they all wound up serving in Iraq, at some points being in the country at the same time as one another.
On Monday, they were all together again beside the gazebo at the Train Depot, Salazar and Silva in their blue dress uniforms.
They were there with their families to hear Mayor Bob Gonzales read the 41 names of active-duty service members from the city, whose names appear on new banners hanging on utility poles along 10th Street.
Santa Paula began its recognition program seven months ago by hanging 28 banners, each with a resident's name and branch of service beneath a bald eagle and American flag.
On Monday, Salazar was given his banner, which had been hanging downtown since April, the same month he finished active duty.
"It's a good feeling, coming from the town you grew up in," said Salazar, 24.
Silva's and Perez's banners went up recently, in the second wave of the city's Armed Forces Banner Recognition Program.
Marine Kenneth Herron Jr.'s banner was also released Monday.
Near Ventura Street, another one of the new banners honors Mary Magdaleno's son, Antonio Magdaleno Jr., 24, who is in Tacoma, Wash., with the Army.
On Monday, Mary Magdaleno wore a pink T-shirt that said "Proud Mom of an American Soldier." She hoped the banners reminded people of those in the military.
"I hope they realize what a sacrifice they're making," she said. "I'm really proud of him."
Navy Capt. Brad "Brick" Conners, base commander at Naval Base Ventura County, spoke during the event. He said the city's recognition of military men and women was fitting just before Veterans Day.
Salazar joined the Marines because it was something he had always wanted to do. Now, he's working and studying at Ventura College; he hopes to go into law enforcement.
Silva had been recalled into the Marines for his third deployment to Iraq and returned home in March. He's working and considering going to college.
Both men said being Marines made them more disciplined. Silva said he thought it made them better people.
"It's like a natural thing to do the right thing," Salazar said.
Salazar said that while he was in Iraq, his mother, Graciela Salazar, told him over the phone that he was getting a banner.
About 100 people turned out for the event at the gazebo. Surrounding the three men were some of their relatives, chatting with one another.
Salazar's father, Gabriel Salazar Sr., snapped photos. Salazar's brother Jose Jose, 20, said it was hard when his brother was away.
The Marine's mother agreed.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know he's back and he's safe," Graciela Salazar said.
Ellie
Santa Paula honors military
By Carolyn Quinn
cquinn@VenturaCountyStar.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gabriel Salazar Jr., David Silva and Michael Perez all grew up in Santa Paula. They all joined the Marines, and they all wound up serving in Iraq, at some points being in the country at the same time as one another.
On Monday, they were all together again beside the gazebo at the Train Depot, Salazar and Silva in their blue dress uniforms.
They were there with their families to hear Mayor Bob Gonzales read the 41 names of active-duty service members from the city, whose names appear on new banners hanging on utility poles along 10th Street.
Santa Paula began its recognition program seven months ago by hanging 28 banners, each with a resident's name and branch of service beneath a bald eagle and American flag.
On Monday, Salazar was given his banner, which had been hanging downtown since April, the same month he finished active duty.
"It's a good feeling, coming from the town you grew up in," said Salazar, 24.
Silva's and Perez's banners went up recently, in the second wave of the city's Armed Forces Banner Recognition Program.
Marine Kenneth Herron Jr.'s banner was also released Monday.
Near Ventura Street, another one of the new banners honors Mary Magdaleno's son, Antonio Magdaleno Jr., 24, who is in Tacoma, Wash., with the Army.
On Monday, Mary Magdaleno wore a pink T-shirt that said "Proud Mom of an American Soldier." She hoped the banners reminded people of those in the military.
"I hope they realize what a sacrifice they're making," she said. "I'm really proud of him."
Navy Capt. Brad "Brick" Conners, base commander at Naval Base Ventura County, spoke during the event. He said the city's recognition of military men and women was fitting just before Veterans Day.
Salazar joined the Marines because it was something he had always wanted to do. Now, he's working and studying at Ventura College; he hopes to go into law enforcement.
Silva had been recalled into the Marines for his third deployment to Iraq and returned home in March. He's working and considering going to college.
Both men said being Marines made them more disciplined. Silva said he thought it made them better people.
"It's like a natural thing to do the right thing," Salazar said.
Salazar said that while he was in Iraq, his mother, Graciela Salazar, told him over the phone that he was getting a banner.
About 100 people turned out for the event at the gazebo. Surrounding the three men were some of their relatives, chatting with one another.
Salazar's father, Gabriel Salazar Sr., snapped photos. Salazar's brother Jose Jose, 20, said it was hard when his brother was away.
The Marine's mother agreed.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know he's back and he's safe," Graciela Salazar said.
Ellie