Oasis Veterans Club observes Memorial Day with ceremony

A large crowd of residents of The Oasis senior community attended a Memorial Day observance Monday. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Residents of The Oasis senior community in Menifee gathered near a flag at half-staff in front of the clubhouse Monday for a solemn observance of Memorial Day.

Leaders of the Oasis Veterans Club welcomed guests, with Michael Hunter leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Steve Escoto reciting the Club Creed and Don Hook giving the official welcome. Members of the Great Oak High School ROTC unit provided the color guard. Musical numbers were sung by Bill Barnes.

"Memorial Day is not a day of celebration," Hook told the audience. "But it does not prevent us from having a warm glow in our hearts for our military, and that's our intention today."

Hook reported that the total number of casualties of U.S. military personnel from the Civil War to date is 1,311,641.

Special recognition was given to Bill Becker, a former resident of The Oasis who was recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington D.C. for his service in the OSS, a secret service organization that served in Western Europe during World War II. Becker and members of the 801st/492nd Bomb Group dropped "spies and supplies" behind enemy lines. He was introduced by Oasis Veterans Club President Ed Wabakken.

"It took a lot of blood, sweat and sacrifice to get to this point," Wabakken said. "A lot of people gave a tremendous sacrifice so we could enjoy days like this."

Becker (above) said there are only 25 survivors today from the 5,000 members of the OSS units. He also received an award from France for his service during the war, and Norway is planning a similar award for him.

Becker was a gunner in the Air Force when his unit was called in and asked to serve in the secret OSS operation.

"When we got to England ... they took us into a room and they said, 'This is what you guys have to do. Fly only at night, no radios, everything off, and you're going to be dropping agents and supplies' to Norway, Denmark, France, Belgium and Holland. 'Now you if you don't want to do this, you don't have to. You can walk out of here and we'l assign you to a bombing mission. But if you walk out of here and say one word of what you heard here, you will be brought back and shot.' "

Becker's position was classified by the U.S. government, and for 50 years he could not speak of his mission to his wife, children or anyone else. Now that the project has been declassified, Becker can speak about it.

Darrel Favrhow made a presentation about the significance of red poppies as a symbol of remembrance of those who died in World War I. Poppies were handed out to the guests.

Before "Taps" was played to conclude the ceremony, Joe Fitzpatrick read a list of 84 veterans and former Oasis residents who have passed away.

Bill Becker stands at attention in front of the colors presented by members of the Great Oak High School ROTC unit.

Joe Fitzpatrick reads a list of former Oasis residents and veterans who have passed away.