The ceremony happened at the Faces of Freedom Memorial

ATASCADERO — The weather held out for the 17th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Atascadero’s Faces of Freedom Memorial before a slight mist became a steady rain as soon as the festivities ended. The ceremony started exactly at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, with the fan-favorite flyover by the Estrella Warbirds. The flyover was quickly followed by the Cal Poly RPTC performing the Presentation of Colors, which was accompanied by Central Coast Pipes and Drums like in years past.

Maria Smith and Jana Sorensen then gave a moving rendition of the national anthem, complete with intricate harmonies. They preceeded the Invocation given by Pastor Ted Mort from Atascadero Gospel Chapel. The master of ceremonies for the day, SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow, who stood in for Andy Morris this year, introduced the Armed Forces Medley.

“While many realize that Veterans Day is a day to honor our veterans, only a few are truly aware of the origination of the day,” Dow stated. “Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day. It marked the end of hostilities in WWI in 1918, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, and it became a federal holiday 20 years later in 1938. We will now ask everyone to listen carefully as we play the Armed Forces Medley in recognizing all of our veterans.”

Dow then recognized Blue Star Families, which have members of their families serving our country in active duty. He then introduced the large crowd to this year’s guest speaker, Cornel John Whitworth of the U.S. Marine Corps. Whitworth served as an active and reserves Marine for 30 years. He was a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam, a commanding officer throughout the world, and he has held the highest Top Secret Security clearance. He now works with veteran causes throughout the county.

“One of the many awards that the Colonel received is the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraction of the U.S. Marine Reconisance Team under intense enemy fire,” stated Dow of Whitworth heroics on Feb. 5, 1970.

At the beginning of his speech, Whitworth asked the crowd to recognize not only the country’s veterans but also the families and the women today and in the past who were there supporting their veterans.

“Without them, going back to the Revolutionary War, this could not have happened. So all you ladies, families, the families, we salute you,” added Whitworth.

He also shouted out to the women who are currently in the military. He then reminisced on what it was like to be part of the Marine Corps at such a young age and how quickly he and his comrades had to grow up in the face of war.

“If a Marine was in trouble and we got a call, the night medivac was probably the most challenging, and if we had any pilots out there, there was no no-fly weather,” stated Whitworth of being a helicopter pilot. “If the weather was sideways, raining, and a Marine was out there, we went and got them. Because we had to.”

Once again, the local Quilts of Valor Guild and the Gold Coast Quilt Guild honored 24 veterans with their own handmade Quilts of Valor. One of the veterans, Christopher Lopez, who served in the US Army from 2001 through 2005, received a quilt made by his eight-year-old daughter. She learned to sew to make the quilt, especially for him. Colonel Whitworth also received his Quilt of Valor this year.

SLO County District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold presented Distinguished Veteran Awards to two veterans this year. Major Adrian M. Hurtado, who spent six years in the Marines and 26 years in the Air Force, was honored first. Russell “Russ” James, who was a Naval officer who became part of the Amphibious Forces in the South Pacific during World War II, was honored with the second award. To learn more about James, you can read this story that was published in Atascadero News Magazine earlier this year, at atascaderonews.com/atascadero-news-magazine/russ-james-wwii-veteran-and-unsung-hero-of-the-amphibious-forces.

Ann Hatch, with her daughters Ashley and India, laid the memorial wreath dedicated to all veterans. Ann’s husband, Bill, helped form the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation, which sponsors the event every year. Dr. Alexander Castellanos then played taps before Pastor Mort returned to give the Benediction. The ceremony ended with the Retiring of Colors right before it started to rain in earnest.

Featured Image: The Cal Poly RPTC performs the Presentation of Colors for the Atascadero Veterans Day Ceremony at the Faces of Freedom Memorial. Photos by Rick Evans/ATN