Local veterans recognized in song by Dos Palos students

Veterans in the Dos Palos area were treated to an early celebration Tuesday in the form of song and poetry.

Students from Dos Palos Elementary and Bernhard Marks Elementary came together to thank veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice – a long tradition for the Dos Palos community.

Roy Hart, past commander of the Dos Palos American Legion and one of the veterans honored during Tuesday’s performances, said he believes it is important for children to learn about service at a young age.

“If there is hope for America, children have to learn about the importance of freedom,” he said.

Hart, who served seven years in the U.S. Navy, said he attends the schools’ performance every year, and every year he feels honored and appreciated.

Fifth-graders paid tribute to those present with a rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A,” while first-graders warmed their vocal cords with “Yankee Doodle.”

Manuel Cavazos, principal at Bernhard Marks Elementary, said the schools have organized performances in recognition of Veterans Day for 17 years. Cavazos said he was proud of the students and teachers for coming up with such a special way to thank local heroes.

After the student presentations, veterans and guests made their way to the Dos Palos Veterans Memorial that sits outside Bernhard Marks. The memorial, erected in 2007, has 1,188 names of veterans with a Dos Palos affiliation – they were either born in, have lived in or now reside in the city.

Hart explained that the memorial keeps growing. He recently helped add two small cannons to draw attention to the backside of the wall where names are still being inserted.

Hart said he does not know of any other public school with a veterans memorial on its grounds. “This here is very special,” he said, “at least it’s very special to me.”

Besides his family, the memorial, which he helped build, is his most prized treasure. “I think it’ll be part of my legacy,” he said.

The wall includes the name of Earl Shaeffer, a Dos Palos native and Fresno resident who attended Tuesday’s performance. He said he feels pride being from a town that honors veterans, such as himself, year after year.

“Every year it gets better. I don’t know how they do it,” said Shaeffer, a Navy veteran. “It’s a nice gesture, and an honor to be recognized.”

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Local veterans recognized in song by Dos Palos students."