Veterans Honored at Aegis Living Aptos, By Nandi Butcher

COMMUNITY NEWS

Veterans Honored at Aegis Living Aptos

By Nandi Butcher

On Nov. 11, Aegis Living and Hospice of Santa Cruz honored 15 veterans who are residents at the Aegis Living Aptos community.

The celebration and pinning have become an annual tradition for residents and neighbors alike.

Kicking off with a car parade, the community was energized as vehicles donned with red, white, and blue décor and homemade banners and signs honoring those who served processed through.

The onsite music therapist at Aegis Living led the crowd with traditional Veteran’s Day song and to recite the national anthem.

Each veteran was gifted a certificate of honor and participated in a traditional pinning to top off the afternoon.

“Veteran’s Day continues to be a special occasion for us here at Aegis Living as we have so many current residents who have served our country and risked their own lives to give us our freedom,” said Griselda Galvan, general manager at Aegis Living Aptos. “Now it is our duty to honor them and others who continue to protect us each day.”

The day culminated with a patriotic social hour and time for residents to enjoy one another while soaking up live music from the band Banjos on the Bay and tasty treats such as a Flag Cake with strawberries and buttercream frosting and hot chocolate.

“It feels nice to be honored,” said John Radov, an army veteran. “The ceremony helped remind me of the good times in the Army and just how thankful I am to have made it home. The pinning ceremony was a wonderful gesture to show appreciation to all us men and women who served.”

The 15 veterans honored included:

Bill Hughes, Army • Christopher Radovan, Marine Reserves • Donald Craine, Air Force • Frank McMillan, Army Air Corps • Harley Wilson, Navy • Harlow Swain, Navy • Howard Ellinwood, Navy • Jerry Miller, National Guard • John Kiely, Navy • John Radov, Army • Karen Kirk, Airforce • Ken Ferrell, Navy Reserves • Mahlon (Ship) Shipley, Air Force • Michael Leahy, Marines • Ron Jaye, Army n

John Radov shows off his certificate of honor.

[Not in order] Bill Hughes, Army • Donald Craine, Air Force • Frank McMillan, Army Air Corps • Harley Wilson, Navy • Howard Ellinwood, Navy • Jerry Miller, National Guard • John Kiely, Navy • John Radov, Army • Ken Ferrell, Navy Reserves • Michael Leahy, Marines