Large local crowd takes part in tribute to military veterans

Master Gunnery Sergeant Arthur "Artie" Allen III addresses the crowd at Veterans Day. (Staff photos)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

One of the largest crowds ever for a City of Menifee Veterans Day event gathered at Hidden Hills Park Monday to pay tribute to those men and women who have served our country in the past and those who continue to do so.

Several military support groups manned booths surrounding a large tent where guests were addressed by city officials and the keynote speaker, Master Gunnery Sergeant Arthur “Artie” Allen III, a resident of the Heritage Lake community in Menifee.

Allen spent 31 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in three wars. He retired from active military duty in 2016 but continues to volunteer in support of the military. A frequent speaker at regional events, he is chairman of the Riverside County Veterans Advisory Committee.

A much-decorated military hero, Allen turned the spotlight off himself and paid tribute to all those who have served over the years – especially locally. According to statistics he cited, there are about 116,500 military veterans living in Riverside County. Of the 3,140 counties throughout the United States, Riverside County ranks eighth in terms of veteran population. Moreover, the City of Menifee alone has about 8,100 veterans.

Allen also recognized three Korean War veterans in attendance: 101-year-old Bill Gonzales (also a World War II veteran); Lewis Wise, a Bonze Star recipient; and Tony Espejo, a long-time member of VFW 1956 in Menifee.

“There’s one thing I personally encounter with veterans,” Allen said. “Some will say, ‘Yeah, I served, but I only did four years. Yeah I served, but I was just reserves. I was a clerk, I was a supply person, and so on.’

“Well, let me tell you something. What they all have in common is, they all signed the dotted line to write a blank check, and that check will cover their devotion to uphold the Constitution of the United States -- up to and including their lives. That’s significant. I don’t care what the job field is. Don’t care what branch of service. Don’t care what level of component.

“Help me in this messaging. If you thank a veteran for their service and they tell you, ‘I was only this or I was just that,’ help me by making sure we reassure them of the significance of their service. Don’t allow them to downplay the significance of the fact they signed that dotted line voluntarily, and that meant they are willing to put their lives on the line so we can have the freedoms we enjoy every single day.”

Allen’s comments were met with thundering applause by the audience. Following the program, guests watched a flyover by the Dawn Patrol Air Shows Formation Team.

Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman and City Council members also addressed the audience.

“It is a joy and an honor to gather in the midst of patriots who have answered the call to duty,” Zimmerman said. “Today belongs to our honorable veterans, and let us never forget to pray for them, for their families, and may our flag wave boldly honoring veterans just like you with the beautiful red, white and blue.”

"I want to thank the veterans here today,” said Mayor Pro Team Dean Deines, an Army veteran. “I know the sacrifices you have made and because or your service, our country’s enduring freedom is here to stay.”

Veterans salute during the singing of the national anthem Monday.

Among those in attendance was 101-year-old WWII and Korean War veteran Bill Gonzales.

 

Guests enjoyed visiting with veterans and receiving information at the Veterans Day ceremony.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Artie Allen was also honored by the Menifee City Council last week.