The Allied Veterans Council of the Upper San Gabriel Valley, in cooperation with the city of Monrovia, saluted servicemen and women Monday during its annual Veterans Day Observance at Library Park.
Veterans from the various branches of service, along with family members, government officials, and residents gathered at the park to pay tribute to those who have served and those enlisted, as well as to the family members who support them.
The Monrovia High School Band, led by director Daniel Mangallanes, performed and the Color Guard from the Arcadia/Monrovia VFW Post #2070 posted and retired the colors and presented the 48-star flag, a nod to those who served in wars before the United States became a union of 50.
Lt. Col. Charles Wiest, who is with the Civil Air Patrol and serves as the Allied Veterans Council's vice president, led the placing of the memorial wreath portion of the ceremony with the help of Civil Air Patrol cadets.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, spoke at the ceremony and presented certificates of Congressional recognition to the city of Monrovia and the Allied Veterans Council.. Chu, who represents a portion of Monrovia, is the daughter of a World War II Army veteran.
She spoke of the thousands of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. While the Veteran's Administration has reduced the backlog of claims down by 30 percent since March, delays in getting benefits is an issue that officials must continue to improve, Chu said.
"The benefits they receive for their service can hardly compensate for the sacrifices they make," she said. "It is a debt that must be repaid."
She also talked about education for veterans and a bill she introduced last week that calls for those who served to get counseling before they use their G.I. benefits so that they can maximize their resources.
Chu said she is pushing to get a veterans outpatient clinic in the San Gabriel Valley so those who need treatment won't have to go to Los Angeles, adding that talks with the Veterans' Administration is progressing on that project.
"On the battlefild, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind," she said. "We must promise that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind."
Monrovia Mary Ann Lutz, along Mayor Pro Tem Becky Shevlin, Councilmen Tom Adams and Larry Spicer, City Clerk Alice Atkins, and City Treasurer Steve Baker, with shared a proclamation the City Council approved last week recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.
"Every year when we come to this site at our library and we see the emblems for the honored people who have served us it reminds me how important this site is and how important that we do this every year. "
Spicer, a U.S. Army veteran, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Allied Veterans Council.
"Thank you all veterans for your service and your duty to the country, from basic training through your military occupational skill training to your personal party."
Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem John Wuo and City Clerk Gene Glasco also participated in the event, presenting a proclamation to the Allied Veterans.
The veterans from all branches of service were asked to stand for applause, as were the Blue Star families who support them.
Scott Sinclair, president of the Allied Veterans, did the keynote address.
He read a 2008 speech for the American Legion.
"While we are happy to be here today to express out appreciation for our veterans," he said, "true appreciation is expressedd through deeds, not words."
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