Karen Colbenson/The Daily Dispatch

Honor. Pride. Remembrance. That was the theme of the night of November 11, 2006.

Mr. Anthony Paez, Chairperson, and Mr. Danny Verdugo, Assistant Chairperson put on an event at the American Legion in Douglas to remember and honor the Veterans of World War II; veterans that are often forgotten.

"World War II veterans are from the greatest generation of people, and each year the number of them still with us gets smaller and smaller," said Paez. "They are often the forgotten generation, and I thought it was about time that we do something in their honor."

Many veterans were dressed in their military uniforms, including P.O.W. James Cooper. Salutes were given as the veterans accepted their Certificates of Appreciation. Those present could feel the nostalgia and respect that filled the air of the American Legion Hall that night.

Certificates of Appreciation were handed out to the veterans as friends and family gathered together to share in this touching ceremony.

The veterans were celebrated with a certificate presentation followed by a dinner and a dance to close off the evening.

Those present to accept their awards were: Robert Aguilar, Florencio Arciniega, Felipe Barrios, Thomas Barrios, James Boatner, Ramon Castillo, James Cooper, Francisco Durazo, Manuel Y Durazo, David Encinas, Jose Encinas, Cruz Escarcega, John Galves, William Hudspeth, Ramon Jordan, Ray Rabago, George Z. Reyes, Gilbert Reyes, Frank Valdez, and Julian Vargas.

The veterans who were unable to attend the ceremony due to other commitments and medical reasons were: Jose T. Apodaca, Allen W. Bess, Hector Felix, Wilson Herbert, Albert Jordan, William Kimble, Manuel Lee, Jose C. Luna, Roy Manley, Richard Marshall, Ruben T. Montano, Mike Nieves (Veteran of 3 wars: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam), Ignacio Reyes, Lucas Reyes, Lucas Reyes, Frank Roqueni, Reynaldo Salazar, Alejandro M. Santa Cruz, Gilberto Santa Cruz, Trinidad Segovia, Alfonso Serrano, Albert Stimac, and Frank G. Vigil.

If you are interested in purchasing prints from the World War II Ceremony, visit our website at www.douglasdispatch.com and click on the dotphoto icon.