Veterans Day in Sonoma County saw many traditional celebrations featuring flag raising, patriotic speeches and festive lunches. The Sebastopol Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gold Ridge Post 3919 featured some very special speakers, a group of six Ukrainian professionals. These delegates, coordinated by Sebastopol World Friends, a volunteer organization which manages activities with Sebastopol’s two sister cities, Takeo, Japan, and Chyhyryn, Ukraine, delivered heart-felt experiences of their war-torn country and expressed gratitude for America’s support.
The ceremony took place in the Sebastopol Veterans Building, which is dedicated to those service men who lost their lives in war. The plaque that greets visitors as they enter reads: “In memory of those who gave their lives in the service of their country.”
Army veteran George Lucas, who served during the Vietnam Era, opened the festivities acknowledging that all veterans who made a military commitment were honored this day. He recalled that every veteran, while having a different story, served the nation in his or her capacity. Not all service was highly visible, but all service was significant…