11/11/2001
Santa Rosa Rancheria Indian Gaming Center Palace honored all past and present veterans with a veteran?s parade, a ritual and a banquet Saturday morning.
Willie Barrios, casino director and coordinator of the event, said that in the parade were 20 entries. Which included the surviving tribal veterans from the Santa Rosa Rancheria, veterans working at The Palace, representatives from local law enforcement and public service agencies, the Lemoore High school band and Kings County Supervisors Tony Oliveira and Joe Neves.
The parade began at 10 a.m. on 17th Avenue south of Jersey Avenue, and then traveled up to Jersey Avenue, turning west on Jersey and then turning south at The Palace's main entrance.
Barrios said, "A lot of people don't realize that Native Americans also took part in many of the wars,"
The parade was followed by a special ceremony in The Palace's courtyard. It included speeches recognizing the many heroic contributions made by America's veterans. Guest speakers at the ceremony included Lemoore Mayor Ed Martin and Mike Sisco, tribal chief.
Barrios said he was thankful for having "the honor of putting together this celebration."
Martin said, "It's an honor and I am proud to salute the United States Veterans on this day,"
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