While many were enjoying a long weekend, a small number of Ceres residents took an hour Monday morning to remember those for whom the Memorial Day holiday was meant: Those who gave up their lives defending the country in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Among them was Noemi Lomas who recently lost her 23-year-old son, Senior Airman Pedro Maldonado of Ceres. Maldonado had been in the Air Force for four and a half years and was stationed in Korea when he suffered a debilitating injury in a Sept. 28, 2021 training exercise. The break of his femur resulted in what she called a catastrophic illness and ultimately his death last October. The 2017 Ceres High School graduate had planned to enter law enforcement after his service.
Lomas was present with Herlindo Manriquez at Monday’s Memorial Day observance, held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ceres Memorial Park. Hosted by the Ceres post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion, the event included singing of the National Anthem by Marlene Dolores Rodriguez, a ceremonial 21-gun salute, Phil McGill playing of bagpipes and remarks by Mayor Javier Lopez and the police chief of Patterson, Joshua Clayton of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Also speaking were representatives of state Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil and Stanislaus County Supervisor Channce Condit.
Mayor Lopez recalled Maldonado’s service.
“Pedro Maldonado was a shining example of patriotic service,” said Lopez. “He graduated from Ceres High in 2017 and immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force. Pedro’s love for his country and his commitment to protecting his values were unwavering. He wore his Air Force blues with pride.”
Maldonado’s photo is featured on one on the downtown Ceres banners which highlight local military service personnel both past and present. The mayor noted that his photo “serves as a reminder of his immense pride of serving this country until his last breath.”
Lopez praised the sacrifices of all service personnel and asked the audience to “never forget the price that was paid for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Chief Clayton cited the beginning of Memorial Day when a group of picnickers gathered in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1, 1865 to honor those who died during the Civil War. Decoration Day eventually turned into Memorial Day. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.
VFW Post #10293 Commander Freddy Morales emceed the ceremony which included a “final roll call” and ringing of a bell for Ceres area veterans who passed away in the last year. Names of VFW and American Legion post members read were: Bobby Buckelew, Thomas Dwyer, Ronald W. Halliday, Louis Jordan, Don Keough, Billy R. Leach, David Shook and Elmer Wilcox.
After a 21-gun salute by the VFW and American Legion honor guard the program gave audience members a chance to pin a small poppy onto a memorial wreath and call out the name of loved ones who served the country in the Armed Forces.
