May 7, 2025 – The Clovis Veterans Memorial District hosted the 9 th Annual Salute to Patriots Dinner on Tuesday, May 7, for the purpose of celebrating Clovis Unified high school students who’ve chosen to serve their country in all branches of the military. The invitation only eventwelcomed around 21 recruits and their families to honor their oath to answer the call to duty while introducing the families into a support network provided by CVMD.
Salad, bread, dessert, beverages, and grazed beef with mashed potatoes and gravy with vegetables were served by Classic Catering. The AUSA Sounds of Freedom Band provided the music. There were 40 retired veterans and 40 active duty members in attendance.
The dinner was hosted by Lorenzo Rios, CEO of the CVMD and the Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army. CVMD Board of Directors Don Watnick, August Flach, Heather Frantzich, and Pat Ruth were also present.
An invocation took place that was followed by the Presentation of the Colors from the Civil Air Patrol. Buchanan High School junior, Haleigh Anderson, performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. The Mayor of Clovis, Vong Mouanoutoua, led the crowd with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tom Wright, gave opening remarks. Jose Molina, Service to the Armed Forces Manager of the American Red Cross of Central California, talked about ways for those that will be serving to stay connected with their families. Dr. Marc
Hammack, Associate Superintendent of School Leadership of CUSD, commented about the program and its ongoing priority to spotlight the sacrifice made by the local men and women who’ll be in uniform.
All the students were recognized by shaking hands with local dignitaries and then stood on stage with a representative from each of their branch of service while being welcomed by veterans from those branches. Major Daniel Harrison (Army), Major Kao M. Saeturn (Marines), Captain Timothy Walsh (Navy), and Lieutenant Colonel Rory Klepper (Air Force) each gave testimonials about their stories and what serving in the military has meant to them.
Each recruit was given a bag with certificates from Senator Shannon Grove, Fresno County Board of Supervisors, Clovis City Council, Assemblymember David Tangipa, Congressman Vince Fong, Fresno City Council, and the CVMD. Even though they couldn’t be there, Master Sergeant Evelyn Hernandez (Space Force) and Chief Darryl McDonald (Coast Guard) gave video testimonials on what serving in their branch is like and what it can do for those that join.
They were several fun and poignant highlights throughout the evening. The Blue Star Moms who have childern serving in the military were given a special shout out. The Marine Corps did pushups on stage with Rios participating. Military chants were shouted variously throughout the night.
A male student going into the Marines, it was his birthday, and he joined Harrison, Saeturn, Walsh, and Klepper on stage to sing all the service songs. People in the crowd sang along with a few of them standing up with pride. Afterward everybody sang Happy Birthday to the recruit while he did birthday pushups with other Marines jumping on stage to join him.
After Wright’s closing remarks, they played a “How We Tell Our Military Story” video to conclude the evening. “It was a wonderful night of fellowship and patriotism,” Rios told the Clovis Roundup.
The event showed why Clovis has a reputation for being a patriotic town and proudly producing a pipeline to the military. “I’m proud of a community that inspires the next generation to be the very best and to serve something bigger than themselves. And where the military is that call I’m really proud to see so many of our youth taking up that challenge,” said Rios, who’s also a veteran with 23 years of service in the Marines and the Army. Rios’ personal message to those going into service: “I challenge them to be their very best. God blessed them with talent… Put all their faith in God and realize that they were put on this earth to do a great thing.”
Article by: Steven Sanchez