In Photos: Milpitas Hosts Touching Veterans Day Ceremony

The City of Milpitas welcomed the largest crowd it had seen in years for its Veterans Day ceremony Friday morning.

Veterans from several conflicts, including the Korea War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and even World War II were in attendance, among a large crowd of family, friends, supporters and members of the community.

Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves emceed the ceremony, which was colored with patriotic music played by the Milpitas Community Concert Band.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese gave one of the first speeches of the morning.

"It's really wonderful to be in such close proximity to so many veterans," he said, taking a moment to specially recognize the man he had been sitting next to in the audience, who is a veteran of World War II.

"This man is a member of the greatest generation," Cortese said.

Cortese presented Mayor Esteves with a special proclamation for the City of Milpitas.

Representatives from the California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) were also on hand to present the City of Milpitas with a "Patriotic Employer Award" for its efforts to provide City jobs to veterans and servicemen.

John Woolley, vice chairman of ESGR's Northern California Region 1, said only 15 employers across the country receive the award each year.

"This award reflects the highest level of support for employees who have served in the armed forces," Woolley said. "So, we take this very seriously, and we have tremendous respect for this city."

Mayor Esteves and Woolley pointed out that 48 percent of our current, available military is made up of the National Guard and reservists - and when they get called to duty, it takes them away from their jobs and employment, which is stressful for their families emotionally and financially and also hard on their careers. Therefore, Woolley said, employers like the City of Milpitas make a real difference when they offer jobs to former and current servicemen and servicewomen.

To close out the ceremony, Mayor Esteves gave a touching speech about the meaning of Veterans Day, and how much America owes its military, touching upon how his own father was a veteran.

"Veterans Day is a day to remember the dead, the living, and the currently fighting soldiers," he said. "It's a day to thank all military personnel."

"Our veterans act like a shield, protecting us from dangers. Because of them, we can live our lives today, with liberty and justice. We owe them all a great deal. We owe them our lives."

Mayor Esteves also took a moment to pay special tribute to Marine Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Dunning from Milpitas,

"We salute you, and we will always remember you."

Finally, he closed the ceremony by saying, "May God bless all of us. May God bless America."