Tehachapi News

Tehachapi becomes 'patriot country' to honor local vets - UPDATE: care packages assembled Nov. 19

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For one day, Warrior green happily took a back seat to red, white and blue.

Tehachapi High School honored local military veterans on Thursday, Nov. 12 in large, devotional ceremony, in which one local figure called the city “patriot country.”

“I've never seen patriotism like I've seen in this gymnasium,” U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark S. Brejcha said.

Principal Cary Johnson introduced the dozens of veterans in attendance before asking the audience for a moment of silence to honor those killed in the recent Ft. Hood, Texas shooting.

Students' deafening cheers turned to respectful silence.

The school's cheer team even shed its green-and-white digs for Army-brown outfits for a dance routine to honor the veterans.

Then it was time for the honorees to share their stories.

United States Coast Guard career counselor Dale C. Hawkins told students about a time he rode in a submarine during a typhoon.

“Let your guard down for a moment, and the ocean will get you,” Hawkins said. “That's probably the closest I've come to death.”

Hawkins said most Veterans Day praise is given to those who served in combat, but thanks should also be given to those who lived and died in the military's testing realm.

“I'd be willing to bet we lose more people to accidents than we do in combat,” he said.

Brejcha, the event's keynote speaker, presented football coach Steve Denman with a “challenge coin,” an honor Brejcha said he distributes to people who have achieved excellence.

Brejcha also gave a coin to Emery Hubbard, a local veteran who served during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

“Take care of the veteran that is your neighbor,” Brejcha told the crowd.

Brejcha reminded students of the recently unveiled U.S.S. New York naval ship, which was partially constructed using steel taken from the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, 2001.

“One of these days, some of you will serve on that ship,” he said.

Tehachapi High School ASB President Jessica Durham said she hoped students left the assembly with a greater appreciation for military veterans.

“I hope that they learn to respect these people more,” Durham said. “This is a real thing. Maybe some of them will do it themselves.”

Local group hopes to send holiday spirit to troops overseas

American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 221 in Tehachapi is asking for donations so it can create holiday care packages to send to local service men and women overseas.

Spokesperson Harriet Clendenin said the organization hopes to send Christmas trees, menorahs, toiletries, socks, snacks, games and other items to troops with local ties who are stationed far away from home.

The group sends packages four times a year, Clendenin said.

There are donation drop boxes at Kelcy's Restaurant, Johnny's Take-and-Bake Pizza, COS Mini-Storage, Bear Valley Writing Center and Boomers Tehachapi Fitness Center, Clendenin said.

Last year, the Christmas tree one company of troops received was the only Christmas tree those troops had during the holiday season, said Mary Beth Garrison, special projects coordinator for Kern County Supervisor Don Maben's office.

“It was a nice touch,” she said.

Care packages will be finalized Nov. 19 and ship out Nov. 20, Clendenin said.