The rain came down for three days straight, and the soldier never left the foxhole. His feet were numb and encased in mud, but his eyes never left the horizon, scanning for signs of the approaching enemy. Mortar fire was intermittent, and he grabbed a smoke in between the blasts.

In contrast, the warm November sun radiated down on the free speech area last Friday morning, as if God was offering rays of hope and peace to all of his children this fine day.  Fresno City College opened its arms in a memoriam to all of our country’s military veterans, past and present. Veterans from all branches of the military were in the house, and FCC paid homage to them all. Some of them can remember being in that same foxhole.

World War II veteran and prestigious holder of four purple heart medals, Gerry Eckenrod, says those memories are better left alone.

“Today’s soldier has other burdens to worry about,” he said. The selfless dedication from our country’s military veterans  goes unnoticed sometimes here at home. But when we get a chance to give back to our veterans ,”Fresno is always up for the challenge,  ” he says. With Veteran’s Day falling on a Thursday this year,

FCC took the opportunity to get a head start on the valley’s celebrations. The morning began with the FCC Concert band warming up in soft tones, offering a resolution to conflicts past and present.                                                                                                                                            

Then the traditional keeper of the bagpipes played “Amazing Grace”, as the ‘wreath ‘of the unknown soldier was placed on the Court of Honor.  The U.S. Marine Corps. raised the flag while the FCC City Singers led us in a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. The veterans sang  in unison as they saluted the flag emphatically.

The Jr. ROTC color guard from Fresno High School High School  led the audience in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

President of FCC, Dr. Cynthia Azari, opened up the festivities with a short salute.  “Throughout its history, FCC has provided veterans with many opportunities to pursue a college education,” she said.  “After WWII, and the passage of the G.I.Bill of Rights, FCC welcomed returning military then , just as we do today.  I am extremely  proud of our Veteran’s office as we are always welcoming back returning veterans who have served our country,” she said.

The FCC concert band kicked off a patriotic rendition of America the Beautiful, as Dr. Azari asked each branch of the military to stand and be recognized. One by one, they stood, and were honored with their own musical tribute. The Merchant Marines, the U.S. Coast Guard, then the U.S. Army, were announced, as   ‘Over There’ softly rolled over the lawn . The U.S. Navy, was honored with their famous song, Anchors Aweigh, and the U.S. Air Force was welcomed with a lively tune, “Into the Wild Blue Yonder. The U.S. Marines in the crowd all sang the “Halls of Montezuma” as they stood and saluted each other and the crowd.

Kathy Bonilla was next up on the stage, and she introduced students dressed in original uniforms from the ages. Starting with the doughboy of WWI, and their all wool uniforms ,to the soldiers of the Korean conflict, and the integration of women,  they were all represented. The FCC concert band played background music from all the eras, and it was a touching display. Dr. Azari shook hands with all of them in a gesture of thanks and recognition.

Many dignitaries were in attendance this morning, as U.S. Representative Jim Costa, State Senators  Dean Flores, and  Dave Cogdill among others paid their respect to these veterans. Costa, who had just flown in from Washington D.C ,as he does every other week, told the audience of his weekly ritual. “Every time I pass through an airport and I see returning members of the military, I stop and shake their hand, and say thank you,” he said. “So next time you see a serviceman or woman, say thanks for your service.

As the closing ceremony was upon us, Costa asked the crowd to remember. “Let us never forget what our military veterans have sacrificed for us,” he said. “God Bless our veterans and God Bless the U.S.A.”

The trumpet player from the concert band played taps on the hill behind the stage, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars fired a 21 gun salute, in honor of their fallen comrades.