OAKHURST — The anniversary of the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 was ceremoniously honored at Yosemite High School on Monday, Sept. 12, as Patriot Day was sponsored by Sierra Tel in a new location. It was a fitting change of pace as this year also marks the first time that high school students here will study events surrounding that dark day in history. The entire student body, along with nearly two hundred others, attended.
Special thanks to Virginia Lazar Photography. Click on images to enlarge.
Yosemite High School student Joe Wallo performed “To The Color” on the bugle, as the crowd stood for the posting of colors and flag raising by YHS Cadet Corps led by Commandant Sergeant Major David Archer.
Guests remained standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kael Mazzola, followed by the National Anthem and “United We Stand,” performed by the YHS Chamber Singers.
Laura Norman welcomed the crowd on behalf of Sierra Tel to the 14th Annual Patriot Day event.
“Thank you to Yosemite High for hosting and including the entire student body,” Laura said, adding that “2016 marks the first year high school freshman will learn about 9/11 as an historical event they were not alive for. Let’s take this opportunity to immerse them patriotism.”
Chaplain Richard Lamontagne delivered an invocation, followed by a rousing performance featuring the YHS Advanced Percussion Group, led by Francisco Marquez.
Dave Wolin then spoke as the Mountain Area Representative for the Fresno/Madera AMVETS. Also in attendance were Mika Petrucci, representative of Assemblyman Frank Bigelow’s office, and Shannon Major, representing Senator Tom Berryhill.
Laura Norman followed with a reminder of the words spoken by then-President George W. Bush in his 2002 Proclamation:
“On this first observance of Patriot Day, we remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania — with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. Inspired by the heroic sacrifices of our firefighters, rescue and law enforcement personnel, military service members, and other citizens, our nation found unity, focus, and strength.From the tragedy of September 11 emerged a stronger Nation, renewed by a spirit of national pride and a true love of country.”
“In 2016,” Laura told the audience, “these words remain true.”
“15 years have passed since the global tragedies that took place on September 11, 2001. It is important that we be reminded of just how tragic that day was, so as to ensure that we never forget those who served and who lost their lives or loved ones that day. On this fifteenth anniversary of those attacks, let us remember through these powerful numbers. Time the towers were hit: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. Total number killed in attacks: 2,819. Number of firefighters and paramedics killed: 343. Bodies found ‘intact:’ 289. Body parts found: 19,858. Number of families who got no remains: 1,717. Number of people who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks: 1,609. Estimated number of children who lost a parent: 3,051. I am proud to know that the importance of patriotism, and of these statistics, has not been forgotten in the United States of America or in Oakhurst, California.”
Next to the podium was keynote speaker Lieutenant General Michael Vane, now retired from the Army after 36 years of active duty service.
In his last assignments in the US Army, LTG Vane served as the Deputy Commanding General Futures Director of the Army Capabilities integration Center; the Vice Director, J8 on the Joint Staff; the Commanding General, Fort Bliss; the Deputy Chief of Staff for Doctrine, Concepts and Strategy; and Commanding General 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He has commanded the worldwide deployment of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense system to Korea, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Principal locations for LTG Vane include Ft. Bliss, TX; Federal Republic of Germany; Belgium; Ft. Lewis, WA; and the Pentagon, Washington DC.
“Today, I would like to talk about a few things as we remember the catastrophic events of 9/11 striking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania in our country, killing more people than at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Most importantly is to honor those who gave their lives and to thank our first responders, our veterans, our active duty, National Guard, and reserve military forces, and their families who sacrifice and serve every day,” said General Vane.
“There is a prevalent threat to our national security not only in the form of violent terrorist extremism and crime, but also disturbing trends within our own population. To counter these threats there are things, I feel, we must do as citizens to focus on in order to make our country stronger. It is every citizen’s duty to vote and we need to find ways to connect with each other in a positive manner. These are the topic areas of my remarks.” [The entire transcript of the General’s speech is printed below.]
Following LTG Vane was Sierra Tel Business Development Manager and veteran of the United States Army Dan Rule.
“We are here today to pay tribute to the innocent victims of the September 11 2001 terrorists’ attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the flight over Pennsylvania,” Dan noted. “We honor the memory of those who lost their lives and the memory of American military service personnel who have given their lives in the war against terrorism. In addition, we are here to recognize the selfless valor of our Armed Forces, the courage and compassion of first responders, and the strength and fortitude of you, the citizens of the United States of America.”
Dan thanked the Griswold Mountain Detachment Marine Corps League #1121 for their service to the country and for participating in the events of Patriot Day.
“Our freedom has cost many lives, and these veterans know first hand about the sacrifices the men and women of our military have made. We thank all veterans and active military for their courage and dedication in keeping America the land of the free.”
This grateful acknowledgement was followed by special recognition of those who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the military reserves.
“We are also honored to have joining us today representatives from Sierra Ambulance, California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, United States Forest Service, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, Search and Rescue, and Citizens on Patrol, members of the Eastern Madera County Emergency Preparedness Committee, Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Drivers, American Red Cross personnel and members of the volunteer fire departments. For those that are not present,” said Dan, “it is probably because they have been called to duty. When the call comes in, these dedicated people answer without hesitation!”
To thunderous applause, Dan went on to explain that these volunteers, paid professionals, and service men and women have obtained special training in order to perform their duties.
“Often this is done on personal time and at their own expense. Look here and you will see an accumulation of decades of experience in rendering help to those in need. Many of these citizens have worn several uniforms in their lifetime and continue to watch over our communities.”
Chaplain Richard Lamontagne then returned to the podium to deliver the benediction, after which the Griswold Mountain Detachment Marine Corps League #1121 performed a 21 gun salute and the flag was lowered to half-mast with Joe Wallo sounding “Taps.”
COMMENTS BY SPECIAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER LTG MICHAEL VANE:
“Thank you for inviting me to be the Keynote speaker today. I am truly honored. Thanks to the organizers and sponsors of today’s event: Sierra Tel, the Chamber of Commerce, Yosemite High School, and of course all of you students and citizens supporting the Oakhurst community on this anniversary of 9/11. I have enjoyed your mountain community near the gold rush route many times, always stopping in Oakhurst to enjoy a meal and libation on my way to and from my home in Shaver Lake.
“Today, I would like to talk about a few things as we remember the catastrophic events of 9/11 striking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania in our country, killing more people than at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Most importantly is to honor those who gave their lives and to thank our first responders, our veterans, our active duty, National Guard, and reserve military forces, and their families who sacrifice and serve every day.
“There is a prevalent threat to our national security not only in the form of violent terrorist extremism and crime, but also disturbing trends within our own population. To counter these threats there are things, I feel, we must do as citizens to focus on in order to make our country stronger. It is every citizen’s duty to vote and we need to find ways to connect with each other in a positive manner. These are the topic areas of my remarks.
“I had the privilege of serving our country in uniform for 36 years, retiring as a Lt. General in the US Army. Over the duration of my career, I had the opportunity to lead and manage a variety of organizations and work alongside incredible American civilians, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines in the continental United States as well as overseas in places like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Honduras, Germany, and others. Many of these assignments were on an operational nature, commanding our nation’s Patriot air and missile defense force to combat tactical ballistic missile threats. Additionally, I led the development of the future US Army — how big it should be, how many weapons systems should we buy, how many helicopters, tanks, trucks, and how and where should we invest in research and development?
“Included in this Futures responsibility was an examination of future threats and how we should fight them conceptually, and how to develop and train our leaders of the future. This life’s work gave me some insight into the treats we face in the future and some of the weaknesses in the capabilities we currently have in our army and in our nation.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work specifically with the Department of Homeland Security and many other Allied nations in developing our own capabilities and have grown to understand, respect and appreciate the expertise and sacrifices of first responders including emergency medical technicians, law enforcement, fire personnel, the first citizens on the scene, as well as veterans, active and reserve military in all services. Thank you all for your sacrifices and the service you provide each and every day helping to protect our own way of life. I include family members, as well, as they too endure sacrifice on a daily basis. Your service includes being ready and getting called out on short notice to emergencies locally, regionally, and worldwide.
“Thanks, for whatever reason drives you to serve: to protect our rights as American citizens, for our loved ones in our communities, for the chance at adventure, or for our “buddies” within organizations… for duty, honor, country… to free others from oppression, to maintain our freedoms, to preserve and protect… these reasons to serve, these ideals in many ways are represented by our flag. We honor it as so many have died for those ideals, and those reasons to serve that the flag may represent. That flag was carried by the Buffalo Soldier, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King as well as many others. A great number of military, police and fire fighters have their lives for its ideals. While that right to disrespect the flag is acknowledged, let us not confuse it with doing the right thing. There are honorable ways to get our issues highlighted without disrespecting the very ideals our country strives to uphold.
“There are some who are jealous of our founding principles and our democratic freedoms — some inside our borders and some external to our country. Threats such as those who cowardly attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon exist today in the form of ISIS or ISIL and other supporting organizations. These threats are real and conflict with our way of life and require that we stand strong to counter them in our communities and abroad. Better to try and combat them in some other person’s country than to have to in our own backyards.
“9/11 was one of the first large scale attacks within our borders in a great many years and we must not forget that such enemies want to do us harm today and no doubt in the future. The challenge in defeating these extremists lies not so much on the battlefield, rather political and social solutions that address the waves of disaffected young men whose despair of their conditions lead them to this extreme form of Islam.
“I have been fortunate to serve as a leader in our army, perhaps one of the greatest armies in our nation’s history, an army that has risen along with our joint services to the needs of our nation on every occasion — vanquishing our foes and preserving the liberties of our constitution. Those capabilities necessary for not only this strong army, strong military, but a strong police force, strong law enforcement team, strong fire fighting force, and emergency medical technicians, and a good many other professions, require the very best of our youth of our country. In fact, national survival required the very best of our citizens young and old. Today, the ability of our population to deliver the needed capabilities in the youth of our country is threatened by serious societal and health factors.
“According to the department of defense and an organization called Mission Readiness, a nonprofit national organization I am a member of, a full 71 percent of all 17 to 24 year old people nationwide are ineligible to serve in the armed forces. Yes, nearly three quarters of young American adults could walk into a recruiting station today and be turned away because they cannot meet minimum screening requirements of military service. The primary reasons? They are too poorly educations, are physically unfit or have a criminal record, or some combination of all three. Let us think on that a moment.
“First, nationwide, more than one in five high school students does not graduate on time. And of those who do, another one in five cannot score high enough on the Defense Department’s entrance exam to qualify.
“Secondly, the military needs people who qualify on the moral and ethical dimension, especially when we put so much trust and responsibility on the shoulders of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard men and women around the globe — we put loaded weapons into their hands after sufficient training, with a set of rules of engagement, and they become the face of America. It’s disheartening to know that one in 10 young Americans are barred from service because of a felony or serious misdemeanor.
“Third, obesity is taking its toll on society and the armed forces. More than 30 percent of young Americans do not qualify for service because they are overweight. Many cannot run the length of a football field nor pull their weight up on a pull-up bar. Here in California, more than one third of children and adolescents are overweight and obese. Very Sad. The rise in obesity and decline in physical activity has a transcendent, multi-generational effect.
“Many of these same desired military capabilities are needed in our first responders, law enforcement, emergency techs, and in fact, of the citizens who respond first to an emergency.
“No matter your age, sex, ethnicity, religious preference, there is a compelling need for Americans to be fit. Physically, morally and spiritually, and technically fit! One of the key strengths of our nation has always been its people. Getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep, eating nutritional food at home and school, getting 30 minutes of sustained physical activity three to five times a week are critical to achieving a level of physical fitness necessary for local and national security. We must educate ourselves and our youth on the treatment of our bodies more like a machine, and deliver the right combination of air and fuel it needs — not what it might want. Sweets, soda, alcohol, cigarettes are not what our bodies need. Some in moderation, yes, but not in the quantities that far too many of us consume.
“Moral/spiritual fitness concerns itself with doing the right thing even when no one else is around, in my mind. We learn what the right thing to do is from our environment at home, at our church, at our school, at our work, from various ethical and religious publications from an early age. We generally know our laws, we generally know how to properly respect each other and each others’ cultures, religious, privacy, and property… and knowledge is the most important first step!
“But then, doing the right thing — respecting the law, respecting one another and their opinions is the critical second part of successfully living and developing the community, military and first responder leaders our country requires… again, so that a man or woman with a serious decision to make can and will make the right decision when necessary.
“Then there is technical and mental proficiency or fitness. Our country needs a citizenry who has a passionate sense of purpose and can execute the expertise necessary to carry out that vocation. Whether it is busing tables, repairing vehicles, driving trucks, farming, being a physician, lawyer, soldier, policeman… whatever your passion is. Fine out what you enjoy doing in life that has a purpose, pursue it vigorously. Gain a level of expertise that provides you a competitive advantage. Training, practice, and constantly striving to educate yourself throughout your life is needed for our citizenry to have the right attitude to be successful in life. Set the example for our young ones who are watching, and retain the ability to overcome our competitors and enemies.
“We live in the greatest country on earth, perhaps the greatest in the history of the earth. I truly believe that. Our form of government, one that represents the consent of its population and the way of life prescribed by our constitution is still the ideal example for not only ourselves but the rest of the known world.
“An additional sacred responsibility of every citizen is to vote — whether you feel there are enough choices, whether you care about any or all the positions or initiatives, it is the most solemn duty of every citizen to vote. When you vote you are not just voting for the executive branch, but also key leaders in the judicial and legislative branches that together govern our country. If you don’t like the ones on the list, offer your own! Write it in! It is one of the underlying principles that induced our countrymen to revolt against the English so many years ago. To be governed by the consent of the people! When you don’t vote, you convey the notion that you don’t matter. And as we know, all citizens matter!
“9/11 helped unify our country 15 years ago. The current political and social climate exacerbated by the national media is seemingly pulling us apart. 9/11 galvanized and inspired us, as we recounted stories of sacrifice of our first responders and our military. Some would draw from media reporting, reporting that we are a country divided and uninspired. Don’t encourage that notion! Take a minute on this anniversary and say hello to your neighbor, go to a park, introduce yourself to a stranger, thank a police officer, a fireman, a veteran or currently serving in the military. Thank them for their service.
“We have an obligation to ourselves and future generations to re-ingrain these disciplines in order to continue to create these opportunities and rights. I am confident we can do this together. Let us not forget 9/11, let us always honor those who gave their lives and appreciate the sacrifices of our first responders, military, police and firefighters, as there are threats to our way of life and they lead the charge in protecting our freedoms. Know that by being fit — physically, spiritually/morally, and mentally/technically, and setting that example, we can do our part to ensure the national security of our country and our way of life.
“Get out and vote, love your neighbor, and get fit! Thanks again for letting me be a part of this remembrance.”
Here are two links to Kellie’s candid shots on Facebook from the day of the event: Patriot Day shots I Patriot Day shots II
