Hundreds gather to honor fallen heroes

BARSTOW — For war veterans like Ralph Ulivarri, Memorial Day is particularly special.

Ulivarri, Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 68, lost his brother Daniel in World War II, and honors his memory to this day.

“(Memorial Day) is important, because you remember everything,” he said, reflecting on his service in past wars.
Ulivarri was one of dozens of veterans and hundreds of others that gathered at Mountain View Memorial Park on Monday for the annual Memorial Day ceremony put on by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2143.

A multitude of small American Flags waved over the grave sites at the park, and several tall flags stood over the crowd, which had come to pay homage to soldiers who died in battle.

“We want to give thanks to the guys who didn’t make it,” said VFW Commander Richard Patino. “Thanks to their sacrifice, we have this liberty and freedom.”

The ceremony began with a presentation of the colors from the Marine Corps Logistics Base Color Guard. Attendees stood in quiet salute as a the guard passed.

After a few awards were given out, local military leaders spoke to the crowd on the importance of the day.
Fort Irwin Brig. Gen. Robert Abrams summed up the reason for the day’s events.

“Our business at hand is — we are here to recognize those who did not make it home,” he said.

He reminded the crowd that even as the ceremony was happening, American soldiers were in harm’s way.

“Today we are a nation at war and the losses are once again very real,” he said.

Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez and MCLB commanding officer Col. Daniel Ermer also spoke to the crowd.

“It’s a great day to honor our fallen heroes, especially those from this particular area,” Gomez said.

During the service, he read out a list of names of soldiers from the area who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

Ermer noted that more than 4,000 troops have lost their lives in the war on terror in Iraq.

After the speeches, groups from around the area came forward to lay wreaths at the foot of a stone veterans memorial monument.

One of the first to lay a wreath was Ramona Griego, a “Gold Star” mother whose son Clarence was killed during the Vietnam War.

“It’s very emotional for me every time,” she said after the ceremony. “It’s wonderful to have all the support.
Wreath after wreath was laid out in front of the memorial, with some saluting or placing their hand over their heart after the wreath was placed.

“It was a really good showing, we really appreciate the people taking time out of their week to come here,” said Dave Epstein, founder of the United States Veterans Support Group of Barstow.

Several Miles away in Yermo, a separate memorial ceremony took place by the Yermo Cross.

Local military officials and a color guard from the California State University at San Bernadino Air Force ROTC attended the event, along with many others.

The service was held in front of the large Yermo Cross — erected a year ago — and a Star of David.

“It reminds me about how much support we have,” said Army Specialist Rowell Cordero, who attended the ceremony. “We’re not out there by ourselves.”

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