Holtville honor their fallen during Memorial Day ceremony

The sons of Holtville and the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom were honored in a Memorial Day ceremony Monday.

Since World War I, 33 people from Holtville have died serving our country. Close to 100 community members commemorated their lives and their example of bravery.

Kim Vincent, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, said, ” I think for our young men out of high school to take that oath, raise that right hand and go serve our country, [it] says a lot about that patriotism that comes from their upbringing and their families. ”

Holtville Mayor, Ginger Ward, said it’s hard to find anyone these days who haven’t lost a loved one in battle.

” We have so many here that have had those that had gone off to war. And some have lost in the wars and did just the ultimate sacrifice for our country. You know and it just brings our community together that much more, ” said Ward.

Veteran Juan Castro, who was drafted into the military along with his seven brothers, said seeing the markers for the men who lost their lives and how much the town has given to serve its country was meaningful to him.

Castro recalled, ” I knew more than half of them. Since we were going to school. Grammar school. And we used to play together. The rest of it was really nice. ”

Javier Silva lost his son Erik almost two decades ago during the war in Iraq. He said not a day goes by that he doesn’t think of him.

Silva said, ” I remember all, what he was. How joyful it was to play golf with him and play baseball with him. The rest of it. It was really nice. ”

Vincent said it’s important to not forget our fallen and support those who answer the call of duty.