IMPERIAL — A nearly ear-shattering bang rocked the area as cannons lit up the skies Friday at Pioneers Museum.
But the stark silence afterward was what Bob Hayes with the Imperial County Living History Association Battery Unit was hoping to get across.
The legend goes that everyone wanted to fire the last shot of World War I, he said. And the silence that followed four years of fighting was described as the loudest silence in history.
Then the solemn sounds of bugles playing taps rang out across the entire front line as a final salute to those who could not give their silence, he said. That same ritual was recognized on Friday evening as a way to honor veterans.
“We’re not honoring just veterans of this century. We honor all veterans of all days,” he said. “Those people gave their all to make sure you and I have the greatest freedom the world has ever seen.”
Residents and veterans alike paid tribute to those sacrifices Friday evening at the 15th Sunset Retreat ceremony.
About 200 people came out to honor veterans at the annual event. It’s all about veterans honoring veterans, said organizer Joaquin Reclosado Jr., a retired U.S. Marine and veteran of the Korean War.
“As long as there is one living veteran in this field, we’ll honor them,” he said, going over the group’s motto.
Those who attended cheered for the veterans as they stood to be honored, as well as throughout the ceremony that included a parade of the colors, a history of Veteran’s Day and an officers’ march.
Each year the event seems to get better, said Gail Parish, who volunteers at the event. She’s been doing so throughout the 15 years it has been going on.
“I bleed red, white and blue,” she said.
Parish, who has worked with veterans at Imperial Valley College for years, said that it’s very important to honor veterans, especially on Veterans Day. Without veterans, people would not have the freedom or rights they have now, she said. The things Parish’s father did in World War II and her husband did in Vietnam wouldn’t mean anything without the veterans and soldiers continuing to fight for freedom.
Parish was not only a volunteer, but she also won an award for her service helping with the event and veterans in general for the past several years.
Four people received awards, including retired U.S. Air Force Sgt. Orville Grams and his wife, who received the lifetime achievement award. Grams has been working with veterans since he left the Air Force more than 50 years ago.
Another veteran, Robert Ruiz, received the veteran of the year award at the event, getting his plaque during the ceremony. It was a surprise for Ruiz, he said.
“It’s an honor, but there are so many people who are deserving,” he said. “Every veteran is deserving.”
He thought the event went great, he said. The most touching part for him was saluting the flag as that salute is honoring all active and non-active duty veterans.
“I’m proud to be a veteran,” he said. “God bless America.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
But the stark silence afterward was what Bob Hayes with the Imperial County Living History Association Battery Unit was hoping to get across.
The legend goes that everyone wanted to fire the last shot of World War I, he said. And the silence that followed four years of fighting was described as the loudest silence in history.
Then the solemn sounds of bugles playing taps rang out across the entire front line as a final salute to those who could not give their silence, he said. That same ritual was recognized on Friday evening as a way to honor veterans.
“We’re not honoring just veterans of this century. We honor all veterans of all days,” he said. “Those people gave their all to make sure you and I have the greatest freedom the world has ever seen.”
Residents and veterans alike paid tribute to those sacrifices Friday evening at the 15th Sunset Retreat ceremony.
About 200 people came out to honor veterans at the annual event. It’s all about veterans honoring veterans, said organizer Joaquin Reclosado Jr., a retired U.S. Marine and veteran of the Korean War.
“As long as there is one living veteran in this field, we’ll honor them,” he said, going over the group’s motto.
Those who attended cheered for the veterans as they stood to be honored, as well as throughout the ceremony that included a parade of the colors, a history of Veteran’s Day and an officers’ march.
Each year the event seems to get better, said Gail Parish, who volunteers at the event. She’s been doing so throughout the 15 years it has been going on.
“I bleed red, white and blue,” she said.
Parish, who has worked with veterans at Imperial Valley College for years, said that it’s very important to honor veterans, especially on Veterans Day. Without veterans, people would not have the freedom or rights they have now, she said. The things Parish’s father did in World War II and her husband did in Vietnam wouldn’t mean anything without the veterans and soldiers continuing to fight for freedom.
Parish was not only a volunteer, but she also won an award for her service helping with the event and veterans in general for the past several years.
Four people received awards, including retired U.S. Air Force Sgt. Orville Grams and his wife, who received the lifetime achievement award. Grams has been working with veterans since he left the Air Force more than 50 years ago.
Another veteran, Robert Ruiz, received the veteran of the year award at the event, getting his plaque during the ceremony. It was a surprise for Ruiz, he said.
“It’s an honor, but there are so many people who are deserving,” he said. “Every veteran is deserving.”
He thought the event went great, he said. The most touching part for him was saluting the flag as that salute is honoring all active and non-active duty veterans.
“I’m proud to be a veteran,” he said. “God bless America.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
