On Nov.11, The American Legion Auxiliary Mare Island Navy Yard Unit 550 (ALA-550) proudly conducted one of the three annual Veterans Day ceremonies in Vallejo. Due to the downpour, the ceremony was moved from the usual location behind Vallejo City Hall to the Veterans Hall at 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane.
ALA-550 President Kittie Cox served as the EmCee (and also made the wreath) while the guest speakers included Past TAL Napa Post 113 Commander Robin Mueller and Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell.
Kittie Cox served from 1965 to 1966 in Vietnam as an American Red Cross nurse attached to US Navy hospitals treating wounded and DNBI (disease, non-battle injury) casualties.
Robin Mueller served from 1972 to 1999 in the US Air Force, retired as a Master Sergeant, and was TAL Napa Post 113 Commander for five years. She discussed the importance of continuously supporting our Troops and Veterans with simple things like packages and cards because they are great morale boosters.
Robert McConnell, a decorated US Army 9th Infantry “Old Reliables” Division Vietnam War Veteran and the outgoing mayor of Vallejo, mentioned that we must always appreciate and respect the sacrifices and selfless service of our Veterans, and provide them assistance because doing less dishonors them.
The ALA-550 Color Guard consisted of Vice President Joey Leggitt, Treasurer Arlene Hoffmann, Chaplain Tammy Dostal, and Member Pat Briceno. They were assisted by two members of the award-winning Jesse Bethel High School NJROTC Honor Guard and were quickly coached by Naval Instructor Chief Ivery Hood.
Tom Bartee, the District Director for State Senator Dodd, beautifully sang the National Anthem, ALA-550 member Carol Shiner led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kari Lacy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1123 of Vallejo played TAPS.
After the ceremony, the ALA-550 Team served hot dogs, fries, and refreshments to the 200+ attendees. The other two Veterans Day ceremonies in Vallejo were conducted at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery which became a US Dept. of Veterans Affairs cemetery in Nov. 2023 and at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/@nestoraliga7537 to view the videos.
Author: Nestor Aliga
Nestor Aliga was born in the Philippines and migrated to Vallejo, CA in 1967. He was in the US Marine Corps from 1974 to 1976 then in the US Army from 1976 to 2008. He is a life-member of the Big-Three, www.CALEGION.org, www.VFWCA.org, and www.DAVCAL.org.
