Annual Shasta County Veterans Memorial Service Unveils At Redding Civic Auditorium

Jerry Sanchez, Sr.
8 hours ago
2 min read

If you were fortunate—and blessed—to be able to attend the Annual Shasta County Veterans Memorial Service on (the true) Memorial Day, at Redding Civic Auditorium’s Veterans Memorial Cove, then you were treated to a patriotic, perhaps tears-inducing… program. But if you, for some reason, were not able to attend, rest assured, because at the end of this article is a link to access a full-length video of the hour-long program.

Honoring the sacrifices and services of Veterans, the event’s mood was appropriately set by an invocation delivered by St. Joseph Catholic Church deacon, Mike Mangas, and a benediction offered up by Redding Police Department Chaplain, Lori Moretti, as well as an inspirational keynote speech by Lt. Colonel Carl Bott, a 33-year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, who shared his experiences and insights.

Other highlights included a flyover by Redding native, Ron Lim, Echo Taps performed by Foothill High School students, James Messenger and Christopher Joyce, a Traditional Bagpipe Salute by Jefferson Pipe Band, Armed Forces Medley by ACapella Sound Wave, Special Patriotic Announcement by Debbie Johnson, Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council.

Semper Fi II Presented the Colors

Also contributing was Troy Payne, the Shasta County Veterans Services Officer, who conducted the Presentation of Memorial Wreaths and Semper Fi II, with the Retirement and Presentation of the Colors. Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Sgt. Ray John, United States Marine Corps and Vietnam Veteran, while the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nathaniel Kingsbury of Redding’s Mistletoe Elementary School, and the National Anthem was gloriously sung by Linda Bott, KCNR radio station co-owner.

Richard A. “Dick” Wilkinson, Jr., US Navy (1951-‘54) Veteran and President/Commander of Korean War Veterans Association, weighed in on his attendance at the annual Shasta County Veterans Memorial Service: “It is always inspiring to see the large number of people who attend this annual event. USMC Veteran Carl Bott did a great job as the keynote speaker, although my friend, Scarlett Rose, was very disappointed that the Merchant Marines song was not included with the other branches of service songs.”