A day of remembering and honoring in Elma

By Andrea Watts The Daily World • November 12, 2025 10:30 am
In his closing remarks, Rick Angeli, Commander of VFW Post 1948, thanked the Elma High School band, choir and drill team, and the Scouts for participating in the ceremony. The choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the band performed the “Armed Forces Medley.”
In his closing remarks, Rick Angeli, Commander of VFW Post 1948, thanked the Elma High School band, choir and drill team, and the Scouts for participating in the ceremony. The choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the band performed the “Armed Forces Medley.”

Beginning with a Veteran’s memorial ceremony at Edward Silas Morton Jr. Park at 11 a.m. and parade at 1 p.m., followed by lunch, VFW Post 1948 hosted a day of remembering and honoring veterans in Elma.

Since the ’80s, Post 1948 has held a Veterans Day event, beginning in the parking lot of their VFW building and the high school band would come play, said William “Bill” Wickwire, who previously served as commander of Post 1948. Post 1948 was chartered on Nov. 22, 1930.

The ceremony included a dedication for the POW signs that are now at each entrance to the city of Elma. In his remarks, Jim Sorensen said, “There are approximately 81,000 Americans who remain missing from past conflicts. The majority are from World War II. Among them, 1,582 are still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, including those missing in Laos, Cambodia and China. We are here today to remember them, to make sure they are never forgotten.”

Following the blessing by Post Chaplin Ricardo “Ricky” Guadorrama, Tyler Marriott rang the bell 11 times.

Following the blessing by Post Chaplin Ricardo “Ricky” Guadorrama, Tyler Marriott rang the bell 11 times.