Veterans Honored at Special Holy Name of Mary Mass

Dennis Navarre leads the parade of flags to the church entrance.

Holy Name of Mary in San Dimas offered a special Mass on Saturday morning, honoring the nation’s veterans.

Several people spoke from the heart about what veterans and their service meant to them and the nation. Some Vietnam vets recalled how they were forgotten when they returned from their tour of duty.

At the end of the Mass, the church choir sang the military hymn unique to each branch of the armed forces. As each branch’s attending members were honored, they stood and received a rousing ovation.

The remembrance and celebration also got off to a rousing start as Dennis Navarre and  his team of La Verne Patriot Guard Riders each rolled up to the beautiful sandstone church bearing our nation’s flag. The flag on Navarre’s bike was then taken to the altar for the ceremony. The last bike carried the Missing Man Flag.

“It was a wonderful ceremony,” said Brian McNerney, CEO of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce who talked about the contributions of the “Greatest Generation. “Without them, we could all be speaking fluent German right now.”

Vets from World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam embrace and show their solidarity.