Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 11-8-18 E-edition

A8 | Thursday, November 8, 2018 Tejeda-Flores graduates
from Marine Corps
Back Page The Dinuba Sentinel
Photo contributed
Pictured are (left to right) Scott Leddy US Army,Juan Medinda US Air Force, Art Chavira US Army, Rallie Madrid Associate, George Madrid US Navy seabee, Sandy Watson Associate Right of photo: Romelia Castillo Associate, Ray Quintana US Army, Ernie Rubalcaba US Army, Joe Martinez US Army, Carlos Rios US Army, Donald Wade US Army.
Local Vietnam Veterans visit USS Battleship Iowa
Private First Class Victor D. Tejeda-Flores at Hotel Company, graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on Friday October 19, 2018. Tejeda-Flores graduated from Dinuba High in May and was a member of the High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit for three years.
“I liked NJROTC because of PT and competitions," said Tejeda- Flores. "It was a great experience for me, especially now that I am a Marine.”
Tejeda-Flores is in SOI at Camp Pendleton. He will be there for approximately one month and will have another graduation on the Nov. 27.
Veterans
Continued from Page A1
Photo contributed
By George Madrid
US Navy Seabee
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter # 643-Dinuba
The Vietnam Veterans of America recently took a trip to Visit the USS Battleship Iowa located at the Los Angeles Harbor. The group of 36 Veterans from the Vietnam War and Associate members went by Classic Charter Bus to visit this Historical Ship. The Battleship was brought in from the Moth Ball Fleet located in the Benicia waters next to Martinez Harbor.
The Ship has been remodeled to accommodate tourist for tours that are available all day. Once commissioned in 1942 the War Department sent it off to
fight the Japanese in the South Pacific. For combat the battleships are brought in close to an island that will be landed by Marines or Army units and they open up the big guns to soften the fight out of the enemy, who are waiting for the units to hit the shore.
The War Department made a decision to take island by island from the Japanese until they reached Japan itself. The Marines were taken there island by island with the battleship leading the first fight. Planes from the carriers also helped with cleaning up the fighting power of the enemy.
Our tour of the ship was exciting when we met a WWII Veteran manning one of
the tables where we asked questions. The Navy Veteran served aboard the battleship during the war. It was like going back into time as he was there to answer questions from us. He had to be at least 95 years of age. He has held up pretty well to give his free time for us tourist.
For us sailors, visiting the ship brings back memories of the time we served in the Navy. We invite your reading public to take this trip to Los Angeles Harbor to Visit the Battleship. Children are welcome. All tickets can be purchased online and most, if not all, information is available on their website. If you are a Veteran let them know when you go aboard and they will announce your name. They appreciate donations too.
actually recovered from his wounds while deployed and served the rest of his term in Vietnam.
After returning home Rivera continued a career in the military and finally retired from the Marine Corps in October of 1988. He now spends a lot of his time assisting with the Dinuba High School wrestling team or at the
Dinuba Memorial Building, where he is both on the Vietnam Regional Memorial Wall Committee and the Dinuba Memorial Board. He is also part of American Legion Alta Post 19.
He will be sharing more of his story at Sunday’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
The masters of ceremony for Sunday’s Veterans Day Ceremony will
be Madrid and Greg Olson, Lincoln Elementary School teacher.
Making a special appearance at Sunday’s ceremony will be the Dinuba High School Madrigals and Miss Dinuba Audrey Menard and her court; Karen Romo, Lily Moos and Viclaire Lozoya. Pastors Jim Susee and Harry Phillips will be providing
the inspirational messages for the ceremony and music will be provided by the Orange Cove Citrus Middle School band.
Cody Sedano, a representative from US Senator Andy Vidak’s office, will also be in attendance.
Athletes from Dinuba High School will be putting up flags on Sunday
morning, beginning at 7 a.m. They will also be taking them down at 2:30 p.m. Volunteers from throughout the community are welcome, and encouraged, to help with the setup of flags.
After the ceremony, cookies and refreshments will be provided by the Dinuba Kiwanis Club.
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