6th Annual Salute to America's Veterans Ceremony, One to Remember

The morning sun was shining down on a myriad of Veterans, community members, as well as supportive family and friends this past Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary in Colton for the 6th Annual "A Salute to America's Veterans" Ceremony. This year was as special as the last as the Honorary Veteran of the event, Sergeant Clayton Dunn, was the epitome of a brave, selfless soldier and hero to not only his family, friends, and community, but to America as well. Sgt. Dunn, born on Nov. 2, 1984, served in the 2-505A Airborne Division on Operation Iraqi Freedom and died while serving his country on May 26, 2007. Sgt. Dunn had only been married to his wife Haidy for nearly three years and had a three-month old baby, Grace, at the time. Grace is now eight-years-old and she shared a poem with everyone that she wrote herself. An excerpt from the poem stated, “I believe that Veteran’s Day is one of the most special holidays. It is very special to me because we honor people who have fought for our country; including my dad…my dad was one of those men that gave his life for me and my country.” Grace concluded the poem by saying, “everyone must not forget those who helped to keep our country safe and that is why Veteran’s Day is my favorite holiday.” “It doesn’t seem like a long marriage, it was a short one, but it was definitely a memorable one,” Haidy shared. “In our short marriage he was able to leave me with so many lasting memories, memories that I’m now able to share with our daughter Grace.” Cub Scouts Pack 242 of Grand Terrace kicked off the event with the posting of the colors as Sebastian Popoff of the Webelos Scout, Pack 242 lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Colton Ladies Auxiliary Veteran’s of Foreign War Post 6476, Sadie Corona and Sylvia Espitia gracefully did the Placing of the Wreath. The 21 Gun-Salute was by none other than the Colton Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6476. “This is the face of America’s sacrifice…Even though their loved ones are gone, we bury a tremendous and honorable burden as a society to continue to lift them up every single day. To honor their loved one’s sacrifice, to remember what they fought for and to ensure that the memory and the great amazing honor of what they did for this nation shall never be forgotten,” Lieutenant Commander Paul Chabot said while presenting the Honorary Veteran award to Sgt. Dunn’s wife Haidy, daughter Grace, and mother Aminta.