Sixth Annual Veterans Breakfast

Sunrise Rotary Club Honors Vets

 

The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise celebrated the lives and service of over 60 veterans who attended the sixth annual Veterans Breakfast at the Villa Chanticleer on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th. Service members from every major U.S. conflict since WW II were in attendance, some attired in their original service uniform. Many others proudly wore their VFW or American Legion uniforms.

 

After a hearty breakfast visiting dignitaries were introduced: County supervisor James Gore, Cloverdale Mayor Bob Cox, Healdsburg Mayor Shawn McCaffrey, Sgt. Don Clouston, WWII and Capt. Cliff Stewart, USN.

 

Sgt. Clouston enlisted at age 16 and parachuted into battle during the D-Day invasion in 1944. He attended in the boots that he wore on that historic jump. Capt. Cliff Stewart enlisted in the Navy in January, 1942 and served initially in the Atlantic. Attended officer candidate school and received the rank of Ensign in 1944. He spent  the remainder of WW II as a gunnery and communications officer on a missile support ship in the Pacific and provided support for the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns in that year. He also served in Korea and Vietnam. He presented a program of his experiences on Iwo Jima, including the historic flag raising on Mt. Suribachi.

 

The national anthem was sung by Dallas Caroline, performing at her sixth Rotary Veterans Breakfast. She first sang for the event at age 9. Following that, members of each branch of the armed forces were asked to stand for recognition and were serenaded with their service song, sung by Ms. Caroline.

 

This event is provided as a community service at no cost to recognize the valiant and heroic men and women who have served our country. Its popularity has increased each year that it has been offered, with this year's attendance of over 60 veterans being a highlight. The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise is hoping for even greater attendance in coming years.

 

Additional photos from the event may be found  under the category Photographs at the lower right-hand corner of the screen.