TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Amid all the marching-band pomp and military pageantry of Bakersfield's Veterans Day Parade, Alice Abril and her friends kept a close eye on their young, hyper-patriotic children reveling along the procession's front line.

"Keep it high!" Abril shouted to one of the youngsters the moment the American flag he was waving came perilously close to the asphalt.

Think of it not as intervention but as another part of the lesson -- which is, after all, why the three families come together for the annual event.

"They learn why they have the day off," said Abril's friend and mother of three Juliet Smith.

On a cold day that mixed glee with somber reflection, Bakersfield showed its true colors Monday: red, white and blue, with a dash of khaki camouflage.

From the respectful silence of the faithful who attended a morning flag-raising ceremony to the cheers of diverse masses lining the parade route, Bakersfield underlined its reputation not only as a city that supports the military unconditionally, but as a place where national pride has become a force for civic unity.

"We're very conservative here. It's very patriotic," Bakersfield resident Lynn Duncan said on Monday, her first day volunteering at the American Legion Post 26 Veterans Support Store on 21st and H streets. She added that she is not the only one of her friends with a 25-foot flagpole in her yard.

"To me it's an everyday thing. It's not just (on) Veterans Day."

After an early morning American Legion breakfast prepared by local law enforcement, veterans from several wars gathered with local government leaders for a flag-raising at the Veterans Memorial on Truxtun Avenue.

Calls to serve veterans

Frontier High School's marching band rendered "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a medley of military music in between prayers and often stirring speeches by local veterans, some in full uniform.

They called for peace and for honoring sacrifice, for strong local leadership and respect for educators.

The ceremony's keynote speaker, Army veteran and double-amputee Wesley Leon-Barrientos, made a special request on behalf of those with sometimes overlooked injuries.

"We must honor all of their families and not just with blue and gold-star banners but with compassionate hearts. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), traumatic brain injury and life-altering war wounds not only affect the veteran, but can also take an enormous toll on the family as well," he said.

Speaker Lilia Morentin, who has served as a petty officer second class with the U.S. Navy and now works for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, similarly asked for service not of veterans but to them.

"We have many wounded veterans in our world who need your compassion and your support," she said. "Find a way to help them, whether through Veterans Affairs offices or state and local government outreach programs. And given that we as a nation are at war today, there are many families in communities all over the country who could use a helping hand."

Patriotic celebration

The mood had turned jubilant by the time the parade was about to begin shortly after 10 a.m. Crowds roared as the Bakersfield Fire Department hoisted a giant American flag at the corner of H and 21st streets. A military helicopter soon soared overhead.

There began a two-hour long procession of veterans, vintage military vehicles, marching bands, support agencies, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, local car clubs, Junior ROTC members and Kern County Young Marines -- even the Bakersfield Junior Roller Derby.

Korean War veteran Welby Cramer watched part of the parade from inside the American Legion support store. He said how wonderful it was to see all the support for Veterans Day, making special note of the recognition being given to Vietnam War vets, who he said had initially received a poor reception.

"I'm very thankful for the reception (they're) getting now," said Welby, who served on a submarine with the U.S. Navy.

"It's a good feeling."