Corning honors its veterans

It was a day to give thanks.

"Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for what we have," said Bucky Bowen, speaker at the Veterans Day program on Monday. "Veterans Day is a day when we pause to give thanks for the veterans who fought for the things we have."

The program was held in the Veterans Memorial Hall after dozens of entries marched down Solano Street in Corning's annual Veterans Day Parade.

Residents lined along the town's thoroughfare expressing gratitude to those who served, fought and died for the United States.

Starting with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4218 serving as Honor Guard, followed by the Tehama County Young Marines, local boy scout and girl scout formations, the parade featured U.S. Army World War II veteran Jim Calbreath as Grand Marshall.

Also marching was the Corning High School Band, VFW float, Kilroy Living History group, Corning Patriots, fire departments, equestrian groups, antique car clubs and more.

George Freeman served as the parade's announcer.

"Our thoughts are of the men and women who have served our nation in times of war and peace," said Bowen, World War II veteran, as he offered the program's invocation. "We are grateful for the dedication of those brave heroes."

During the veterans program, Boy Scouts Troops 5, 108 and 62 presented the Colors. Seth Blackburn led the Pledge of Allegiance and Linda Davis sang the National Anthem.

"No nation is more blessed than America," Bowen stated. "Service in our armed forces requires a special sort of individual. When they put on the American uniform they understand the price of duty. The interests of the nation always comes first.

"As a World War II veterans, I salute the members of today's armed forces and their families. Today's military service is different. It requires great courage, incredible bravery and endurance. They have experienced the horrors of war, yet endure. It is a deep devotion to country and duty that gives them strength."

World War II veteran Jim Darrow said he was very pleased with the turnout and the appreciation shown to the veterans.

Bowen expanded on Darrow's words.

"As Americans we must be mindful every day of the sacrifices the veterans and members of our armed forces and their families have made," he said.

"The veterans who now deliver your mail, fix our car, or fill your prescriptions paid a heavy price to protect our freedoms.

"The retired veterans now active as volunteers spent some of their best years preserving the freedoms we find so precious.

"No military power in history has done greater good, shown greater courage, liberated more people or upheld higher standards of decency and valor than the armed forces of the United States of America. Think for a moment what they have done for us. They knew the risks. They accepted the hardships and deprivations. Still they served and we are still free."

Bowen announced Tehama County Young Marine Gunnery Sgt. Giancarlo Nandino of Red Bluff had received the Battalion Young Marine of the Year award and is now a candidate for the National Young Marine of the Year.

The Corning Exchange Club prepared and served lunch to about 200 people following the program with the help of Corning High School students.