Mark your calendars for the annual Newberry’s Block Toy Drive. Sunday, December 8. 11:00 am-3:00 pm at Lumpy’s Diner, 5891 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.
Please bring an unwrapped gift or $20 donation. Your generous donation will bless underprivileged kids around our area this Christmas season.
Newberry’s B.L.O.C.K. is the nonprofit organization formed by former American professional football player and center for the 49ers, Jeremy Newberry, Benefiting Leagues Offering Children Kindness. It provides underprivileged children the opportunity to participate in sports by sponsoring scholarships and equipment to youth programs
Dave Despain (left) was honored as the 2024-25 Antioch Veteran of the Year and Ray Yaker as the 2024-25 Lifetime Antioch Veteran of the Year during Monday’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11, 2024. Photos by Allen D. Payton
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)
You are invited to attend the 67th Annual Christmas House Tour off the GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch, with the theme of “Olde Fashioned Christmas” Saturday, December 7, 2024.
The House Tour benefits local high school scholarships, local charities and GFWC Club projects.
Presented by Delta Veterans Group and City of Antioch
With special Veterans of the Year presentation by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill
Coast Guard helicopter flyover during the parade on W. 2nd Street
It all starts at the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the foot of L Street (the future Veterans Blvd.) near the Marina in the Boat Launch parking lot at 8:00 am with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club.
Our Veteran’s Day Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. The Parade follows at 11:00 a.m., eastbound on W. 2nd Street and will feature a flyover of a Coast Guard helicopter and the ringing of the bell at El Campanil Theatre at 11:11 a.m.
