Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, June 11, 2021

Memorial Day at Mojave: Surprising and inspiring!

by Cathy Hansen Johnson, who was only 21-years-old
special to Aerotech News when he was killed in Vietnam in 1968.
He is listed on the Vietnam Wall at Pan-
This year the East Kern Cemetery el 47E, Line 022.
District and the Mojave Transportation Marine Corps Pfc. Fernando Hannon
Museum Foundation joined together to who died on Aug. 15, 2004, of injuries
organize the Memorial Day Ceremony. sustained in enemy action in Anbar
At 11 a.m., May 31, everyone noticed province, Iraq. He was 19, and his par-
an aircraft coming towards the cemetery ent still live in Mojave.
from Mojave Air and Space Port. It was
a World War II trainer aircraft, a North Invocation, National Anthem and
American T-6. Nothing sounds like a flag salute
T-6 flying over and it was a perfect sur- The Invocation was given by Pas-
prise to the beginning of our Mojave tor Charles Lowery from the Heirs
Memorial Day Ceremony. with Christ Church in Mojave. Lowery
I recognized the aircraft and knew served in the U.S. Army with the 101st
right away that our friend Dave Van- Airborne during the Cuban Missile Cri-
Hoy was giving us a salute to those sis and was called up to active military
who gave their all. It was a spot on way duty during that time.
to honor our fallen patriots. Dave told “We gather here today at this place
me later that he knew our speaker, Bob to remember and never forget our fallen
‘Stambo’ Stambovsky usually did a fly- heroes, those who fought and died to
over for the ceremony, but since he was keep these freedoms that we enjoy ev-
a key participant in the ceremony, he ery day,” Lowery prayed. “Let us not
wouldn’t be flying this year. “I knew only today, but every day remember that
the slot was open, so I decided a flyover our freedoms came with a great price of
was an important part of the ceremony,” many young men and women who sac-
VanHoy said. He was correct, the fly- rificed their lives for this great country
over set the tone for each person who – our United States of America.”
participated in the ceremony. The National Anthem was delivered
by Tim Lomba of California City, who Photograph by Shirlee Wilson
Welcome and Introductions served in the U.S. Air Force and was Dave VanHoy flies his North American T-6 over the Mojave Memorial Day ceremony.
East Kern Cemetery District General stationed at Edwards Air Force Base,
Manager, Paul Holzer and his crew had Calif. Group 46, Detachment B, at Edwards. their all for us. Gold Star Mother, for her sacrifice, ser-
placed 511 American Flags on graves The National Anthem was delivered He joined the Marine Air Reserve in vice and Patriotism. A Mother’s grief
of U.S. military veterans buried at the by Tim Lomba of California City, who November 1968, Marine attack squad- Mojave CHP Commander is forever. Mother of Marine Corps Pfc
ron-142, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Commander John Williams of the Fernando B. Hannon. Family friend,
Fla., while completing college. Previ- Mojave California Highway Patrol gave Tony Barragan gave a bouquet of flow-
ously, he had three years active as a US a short and inspiring talk about why he ers to Mrs. Hannon and sat with her at
Army Medic in Southeast Asia and was wanted to work on this holiday. the grave of her son, Fernando.”
honorably discharged in June 1967. “I was told that I could have this day
Stambo has held his commercial pi- off,” said Williams. “But, I said no, I Vietnam Veterans, Victor Yaw and
lot rating since 1970, and also holds his want to work to honor those who gave Leon Ryder of Mojave placed the Me-
Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument their all.” morial Wreath at the Fallen Soldier
Instructor, Multi Engine Instructor, Air- “This is an important holiday, a day Statue located on the west side of Mo-
line Transport Pilot ratings and is a jet to remember how so many gave their jave Cemetery.
warbird instructor pilot. lives willingly so we could live in free- Everyone stood at attention as Paul
He has earned both a Bachelor and dom,” said Williams. Holzer raised the flag from half-staff to
Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Sci- full-staff, Taps was played. Tim Lomba
ence, through Embry-Riddle Aeronau- led the attendees in singing God Bless
tical University. Gold Star Mother America.
Originally from Massachusetts, St- After a moment of silence and prayer After the closing prayer, coffee and
ambovsky reminded everyone of the for all of America’s POWs/MIAs, a donuts, donated by Stoken’s Donuts of
battles Americans have fought with an plaque was presented to Mojave’s Gold
outline: Star Mother, Hilaria Hannon, which Mojave, were served by the Mojave Se-
Photograph by Shirlee Wilson read: “With respect to Hilaria Hannon, nior Citizens.
Robert ‘Stambo’ Stambovsky, U.S. Army Medic and Marine Corps chief warrant 1. Concord (first shot), Valley Forge,
officer, was the keynote speaker at the Mojave Memorial Day ceremony. Trenton, and Princeton
2. Battle of New Orleans — 1812-
1814, Barbery coast/Tripoli
3. Halls of Montezuma (1845)
Mojave Cemetery the Friday before served in the U.S. Air Force and was 4. Civil War-Gettysburg, Shiloh,
Memorial Day weekend. stationed at Edwards AFB. Flag Sa- Antietam, Morris Island (54th Mass
Holzer gave a welcome address to lute was led by Mojave Transportation infantry.)
those gathered and said, “Thank you for Museum Foundation President, Cathy 5. Spanish-American war — Teddy
being here today to help celebrate the Hansen. Roosevelt, San Juan Hill
lives and legacies of those we have lost Letters were read from elected rep- 6. World War I — Doughboys, Dev-
— lost, but never forgotten and always resentatives, including: Congressman ildogs (Battle of Belleau Wood)
revered. You are doing an important Kevin McCarthy, California State 7. World War II — Pearl Harbor,
thing today simply by being here. You Senator Shannon Grove and East Kern Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Midway, Wake
are not forgetting the sacrifices made for Field Representative Joshua Foster from Island, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, North Af-
our freedoms.” Kern County Second District Supervi- rica, Sicily, Italy, D-Day/Cherbourg/
“I pray that as a country, we haven’t sor Zack Scrivner”s office presented Paris, Ramadan Bridge, the Rhine, vic-
lost our focus. I hope we haven’t forgot- comments from the Supervisor. tory over evil
ten the reason that we take the time to 8. Korea — Inchon, Chosin, Mig Al-
stop on Memorial Day — to respectful- Keynote Speaker ley, 38th parallel
ly and reverently remember those who This year’s keynote speaker was 9. Vietnam — Pleiku, Nha Trang,
gave up their last breath and hope of a Robert ‘Stambo’ Stambovsky — U.S. Bien hoa, A Shau Valley
future, was so that we could enjoy each Army Medic and Marine Corps, chief 10. Beirut, Iraq, Afghanistan (Ba-
and every day,” Holzer said. warrant officer. A Vietnam combat gram); and he stressed the necessity Photograph by Shirlee Wilson
He cited the names of Mojave resi- veteran, commissioned from the ranks, of vigilance to maintain our freedoms. Victor Yaw and Leon Ryder salute the Fallen Soldier Memorial at the
dents who were killed in action, includ- and served as an aircraft maintenance He ended his talk with a salute to all Mojave Memorial Day ceremony. For more photographs, visit www.
ing; Marine Corps Pfc. Gerald Lynn and operations officer with Marine Air of the men and women who gave aerotechnews.com.
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