Antioch honors veterans on a rainy Veterans Day
Dave Despain honored as Veteran of the Year, Ray Yaker as Lifetime Veteran of the Year
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch veterans, officials and residents braved the wet weather on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, to celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have served our nation in the U.S. military during the annual ceremony and parade.
Held near the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the Antioch Marina, the day began with a pancake breakfast by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions club followed by the ceremony led by J.R. Wilson of the Delta Veterans Group. Joining him on stage were Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, past Antioch Veteran of the Year honorees Brenda Cato and Pat Jeremy and 2024 Contra Costa County Fair Queen Marissa Sanchez and Miss Congeniality Charlotte Luther.
Pastor Ed Harris, a U.S. Army veteran who just had surgery for a prosthetic leg, offered the opening prayer, which was followed by the Presentation of the Colors by recruiters and Scouts and the raising of the U.S. and POW-MIA flags by the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard. Andy Mendez of the U.S. Navy led the Pledge of Allegiance and Velma Wilson sang a strong rendition of the National Anthem.
The mayor, a Navy veteran, offered his remarks for the final time in his position speaking of the day and recent election saying, “What this represents for our community and our country…being able to say we don’t pledge allegiance to one man or one individual but to the rule of law. We outline and chart the course of our future. That’s what it means to be a veteran.”
“I couldn’t be more proud to wear the uniform of our U.S. Navy for eight years and to serve for eight years at City Hall,” he added.
Anthony Aria, a U.S. Air Force veteran offered remarks which was followed by the presentation of the awards to the 2024-25 Veteran of the Year Dave Despain and Lifetime Veteran of the Year Ray Yaker, both U.S. Navy veterans.
Despain said, “I can say, right now, it’s a fine, Navy day,” to laughter from those who attended, which included mayor-elect Ron Bernal. “I’m really humbled and appreciative of this honor. I want to thank J.R., for what you do. J.R., you’re an amazing guy.”
He then spoke of his time in the service saying, “My first duty station was in Adak, Alaska and this was a sunny day.”
“The Navy’s done me very well, done my family very well. But most of all I’ve met hundreds, thousands of people and they’re all my brothers…all my military friends, all the services. What we do, what we have done is just something I will always keep dear to my heart.”
“And all of you who that came out here, today thank you very much. All I can say is thank you, God bless and have a fine, Navy day. Go, Navy,” he added.
Yaker said, “Wow was the first thing I said when J.R. gave me this call a few months back. There was a big silence after that. I’m still getting over the overwhelming prestigious group I’m not part of which is outstanding, to say the least.” He also thanked his wife, Diana. “Everybody knows her as D. Without her support I wouldn’t be out here making it.”
“For everybody else out here that’s weathered this storm to see all this happening, it’s heartwarming and well felt and humbling like you can’t believe,” Yaker added.
(See videos of their speeches on the Antioch Herald Facebook page here and here)
Each of the men were presented with a jacket with their name and new title embroidered on them, and a plaque, all provided by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill to recognize the honor bestowed on each of them.
Allison Norris of Snug As A Bug then presented handmade quilts to the Veterans of the Year made by the students at Bidwell High School in Antioch.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer by Pastor Harris and was followed by the parade on W. 2nd Street. During the parade, at 11:11 a.m., the bell at El Campanil Theatre rang 11 times in honor of the end of World War I on this date at the “11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month” in 1918. (See and listen to Facebook video of bell ringing)
Parade photos:
the attachments to this post:
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 38
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 37
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 36
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 35
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 34
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 33
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 32
Antioch 2024 Vets Day Parade 31
