Those who died in military service remembered in Atascadero
Memorial Day draws 700 to county Faces of Freedom veterans’ memorial
Military survivors, family and friends came together at the county Faces of Freedom veterans’ memorial in Atascadero Monday to remember those who died during their military service to the United States.
Veteran Al Fonzi in a salute.
Young veteran Jonny Benton was the keynote speaker and began his speech by listing the nine men who died during a particularly bloody battle in the war in Afghanistan.
“Memorial Day really has some special meaning to me — the brothers I’ve lost in combat,” Benton said.
Veteran Jonny Benton was the key note speaker.
He asked for a show of hands from the audience from those who knew someone who had died in combat. Hand after hand shot into the air, too many to count.
“It is our innately patriotic duty to remember them,” Benton said.
On July 13, 2008, Benton and his fellow soldiers fought in the Battle of Wanat, one of the deadliest fights in the Afghan War. In that battle, which started in the early morning just after 4 a.m. and continued throughout the day, Taliban fighters attacked a small U.S. Army outpost killing nine American soldiers and wounding 27. Benton was one of the survivors but suffered from PTSD, fixated on what he could have done differently.
Veteran Jonny Benton hugs Ann Hatch.
Through his treatment at Mighty Oaks Warriors, a Christian-based agency dedicated to healing those in emotional turmoil upon returning from war, Benton recovered and now gives back through his work with veterans.
Veterans in attendance at the Memorial Day ceremony represented every branch of service and many wars in which they served.
Veterans Larry Strang and Daniel Obrien.
Army veteran Daniel O’Brien served from 1962-1982, part of that time as a Green Beret. He took a minute to talk about Memorial Day and what it means to him.
“Respect — it’s about respect, and to honor, not just people whose names are up on granite but everyone who served.” The event was MC-ed by Ann Hatch who thanked the Atascadero Aktion Club, the Heritage Girls, Cub Scouts Troop 155 and Boy Scouts Troop 51 who were all on site volunteering their time.
“This is not an old-people place,” Hatch told the crowd. “It belongs to all of you, especially the children.”
Tommy and Derek Gong playing Taps.
Vigorous applause erupted. She added a quote often repeated by her husband, Col. Bill Hatch. “The youth is 20 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future,” she said.
The Laying of the Wreath ceremony was accompanied by San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Tommy and his son, Derek, playing taps.
