The 5th Annual A Salute to America's Veterans Honors Joe Jon Saucedo

Last Saturday, Nov. 8, at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, hundreds attended a special event honoring all veterans during the 5th Annual A Salute to America's Veterans. The event is held each year not only to recognize all veterans, but to also present an award of recognition and honor to one specific local veteran who has inspired the community. This year’s Honorary Veteran was Colton resident Joe John Saucedo. Visiting Angels’ Sara Hector took the podium with a brief speech, introducing and honoring the Honorary Veteran. She explained that she started off with an idea about six years ago to annually honor and graciously thank the local veterans. Before inviting Saucedo to the podium to accept his certificate, she gave a brief background of his service. At the age of 18 Saucedo was drafted to serve in Vietnam. He served as an aircraft and helicopter gunner. In a helicopter crash, two of Saucedo’s men, he refers to as his friends, were killed. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal primarily for his bravery. After 14 months of service in Vietnam, he learned that his mother had passed away and returned to his family in California. Saucedo and his wife Florentina have been married for 44 years, with two kids, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Hector ended her speech by saying, “At the age of 18, you were courageous, unselfish, you were loyal to your fellow soldier, you witnessed the horror of the war firsthand, you saved lives, you provided dignity and respect to those who were killed by letting them come home to a proper burial. You did all of this by risking your own life…you are our hero.” The program speaker, Senator Mike Morrell, then took the podium by thanking everyone for being here to support all the veterans. He said, “Freedom is in our DNA, it’s precious, it’s a gift from God, and it must be defended…anything that is good in the world we must fight for ladies and gentlemen, just as Joe John Saucedo did. That’s why we are here today, to honor what he has done in Vietnam.” Senator Morrell then invited Saucedo and his wife to the podium to present him with a Certificate of Recognition from the State of California Senate. Saucedo said, “I just want to thank everyone that is here. I’m very grateful for this honor.” His wife Florentina then took the stand. “I’m very proud of Joe…I actually deserve this award, 44 years of Vietnam combat after the war and after the conflict,” she added jokingly while the crowd laughed. Grand Terrace Cub Scouts Pack 242 were responsible for the Posting of Colors, Colton Mayor Sarah Zamora joined one of the Grand Terrace Pack 242 members as they lead with the pledge of Allegiance. Community Liaison Green Acres Memorial Park’s Mary Lou Gomez presented the National Anthem. Colton Ladies Auxiliary Post 6476 did the honor of placing the wreath in front of the memorial. Before the moment of silence for those who lost their lives serving their country, the Colton Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6476 presented the 21 Gun Salute.