La Feria Legionnaires Honor Local Veterans

Post Commander Pleased with Turnout

The annual Veterans’ Day ceremony sponsored by the La Feria American Legion Post #409 drew a crowd of many veterans and their families to the Legion headquarters for the observance.

Post Commander Harlan Lucas was obviously pleased as he welcomed everyone to the Veterans’ Day Program. After the opening ceremony, which included the playing of Taps by bugler Ignacio Garcia, the audience listened to remarks by honored guests La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer and Lauri Weaver.

Veterans from past and current wars were recognized along with their mothers and grandmothers. Singer/veteran Art Zuniga sang the “National Anthem” and “God Bless America.” during the ceremony. Allen Cowley recited “Flanders field.”

In his closing remarks, First Vice Commander, Ed Counelis recognized Gerald Gonzalez, a La Feria veteran, and added that 40,000 troops have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. He urged those present to remember the some 300,000 troops living with invisible wounds (Traumatic Brain injuries and PTSD)–”They especially need your support,” he said.

He also thanked the kitchen crew for their hard work in providing the food and refreshments for the annual observance. They are” Judy Brandenburg, Debbie Bowlby, Karen Gay, Stinky, Bonnie Beedle, and Joel.

The event ended with a closing prayer by Chaplain Santos Guzman.