• Veteran's Day 2021

A beautiful Wildomar sunset at Marna O'Brien park was the backdrop for the City's inaugural Veteran's Day event. It mixed music with stories that reminded us what the point of our great nation is about; liberty and freedom.

It's hard to beat a Wildomar sunset on this side of Ortega Highway.

It started with Mayor Dustin Nigg introducing Jasmine Oliver as she sang our National Anthem and then he recounted some of his service in the Marines. 

He paused at one point when he mentioned the emotional toll that combat can bring... I was glad that I couldn't peek into his head at that time, I'm sure that some lesser cherished memories might have been swirling around at that point. 

One quote that stood out was that each veteran signs a blank check with Uncle Sam that is payable up to one's life. 

I'd never really paused to consider the commitment that young recruits make in those terms. To paraphrase the Mayor, that is heroic in and of itself. I know that I've never made such a commitment.

He mentioned the passing of David Masters

A long time resident of Wildomar and a Navy Vet too. For years David Masters had been trying to get the city to have such an event as this (his vision included a barbecue too, but baby steps 😊). 

It's a bittersweet twist of fate that the inaugural event occurred just weeks after his untimely passing. 

A montage with Grace and George in the upper left, Mayor Dustin Nigg, Jasmine Oliver, VFW Post Commander Charles Golden, Anthony Freire and Hector Pereyra.

The program included songs from Grace and George Hagar (nee Grace Richardson), and speaking parts by VFW Post Commander Charles Golden, Anthony Freire and Hector Pereyra. 

I enjoyed the entire program, but I had to love the stories that Hector shared with how he enlisted and a brief overview of his military career. 

In attendance was our Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto. The attendance was modest, but for a first time event coming off the year we've all endured, it was a big success.

I don't know how I got in the middle of the original shot, but I do know how the Mayor and the Assemblyman got into the middle in the second shot. Can you say Photoshop? 😃

Looking forward to next year's event. Put it on your calendar now, especially if you or a loved one is a veteran.

If you weren't aware of this event, it seems like you don't check your email. The city sent emails multiple times. If you're not signed up for city emails, use this link to remedy that oversight.