November 12 , 2005 

Artesia News

Artesia Makes a More Powerful, Meaningful Veterans Day


Fears of being rained out were put to rest on Artesia’s Veterans’ Day Event at 12 p.m. on Nov. 11, giving way to a day of memories and heartfelt gratitude to area veterans.

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and LA County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman, along with hundreds of veterans (including two Pearl Harbor survivors), made Veterans Day a special day for our little town, a day that hopes to make the day a regional event.

Sanchez awarded medals to three WW2 Veterans, including a posthumous Purple Heart.

The posthumous medals were given to Staff Sergeant Joe Sanchez of Whittier, and were received by his sister, Lydia Sanchez-Coleman. “No relation,” said the Congresswoman.

Joe Sanchez was a gunner on B-26 Marauder, the plane was shot down over German-occupied territory during the Battle of the Bulge, and since then, Sanchez has been missing in action. His family continues to search for his remains.

First Sergeant Lawrence Vera, an Artesia resident, and PFC George Kuestner, were also given their long overdue medals. Coincidentally, the two were actually friends in the 41st Reconnaissance Troop. While patrolling Basilan Island in the Pacific during WW2, the two met stiff resistance from Japanese soldiers. Kuestner was wounded by a grenade on the island, and received a Purple Heart.

Before introducing Freeman, Artesia’s mayor said that there’s “only one thing veterans fear most; that what they did will be for nothing.” The mayor also vowed that “Artesia will never forget its veterans.”

Freeman gave an impassioned speech about a specific line in the Star Spangled Banner, going into detail about “The land of the free, and the home of the brave.” Freeman drew on the stories of two veterans; Louis Springer, who died in combat in Vietnam three months after being drafted, and Anthony Dixon, who joined the Army Reserve after 9/11, was “called to duty in Baghdad”, and served one year in Iraq.

The mayor also introduced two Pearl Harbor veterans. Harold Sealy, an Artesia resident, was onboard the USS Vestal, which was tied to USS Arizona as the ship was going down. Later in the war, Sealy was aboard the ship that fired “the last salvo on Japan before they dropped the atomic bomb. “He was almost literally at the first and the last shot of WW2,” said the mayor.

There were also a few military displays, including a 105 mm howitzer, two WW2 era jeeps, a ’42 GPW and a ’43 Willy, and an M37 Korea/Vietnam Era vehicle.

The Southeast Academy JROTC performed drills and a flag-folding ceremony.

Joe Perry, a Vietnam War veteran, who later in life became a reverend, gave a powerful invocation prior to the ceremony.

Lunch was served for free after the ceremony. Food and drinks were donated by Kwang Na Ru restaurant and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Mayor Larry R. Nelson with members of the Disabled American Veterans.
Marine veteran Michael Van Tassel looks at a howitzer with his son.
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez poses with Miss Artesia girls.
Dick Troxil, one of the rare Pearl Harbor survivors, showed up at the ceremony wearing the Pearl Harbor survivor’s uniform – the cap and a Hawaiian shirt.
A soldier observes a moment of silence.
Reverend Joe Perry leads the invocation and a moment of silence.
Reverend Joe Perry leads the invocation and a moment of silence.
George Kruestner, a friend of Lawrence Vera who reunited and remembered.
George Kruestner is also awarded a medal for the same actions Vera went through in World War 2.
The mayor with the Congresswoman.
Councilmember John Martins plays taps, ROTC lowers the flag to half mast in the background.
Timothy Sagert, Army veteran, posted his service’s colors.
Councilmember Sally Flowers with the DAV.
Linda Sanchez prepares to award long-awaited medals to veterans.
Linda Sanchez gives medals to deceased veteran Joe Sanchez’s sister.
Linda Sanchez gives medals to deceased veteran Joe Sanchez’s sister.
Mayor bows his head in an emotional moment of silence.
People in the crowd looking on
Marine vet Michael Van Tassel posts his flag.
Lawrence Vera is a WWII Veteran.
Artesia resident Lawrence Vera is awarded a medal he earned in World War 2.
Linda Sanchez pinning medal on Mr. Vera.
Lawrence Vera, Linda Sanchez, and Mayor Nelson.
The customary cake.
The Congresswoman and city councilmembers in front of the memorial wreath.
City staff working diligently.

 

 

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