Iraq, Afghanistan trooper reads Pledge of Allegiance in honor of Veterans Day

United State Marine Corps. Staff Sgt. Vincent Mendez Jr. stands with Ceres Elementary School kindergartener Vincent Mendez III as Principal Julie Gonzalez addresses her students on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 at the East Whittier School District campus in honor of Veterans Day. -Tim Traeger/411whittier.com

Ceres Elementary students raise their American flags on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in honor of Veterans Day. Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent Mendez Jr. was on hand to lead the 450 students in the Pledge of Allegiance. -Tim Traeger/411whittier.com

By Tim Traeger
Editor
411whittier.com
EAST WHITTIER – About 450 Ceres Elementary School students got to celebrate Veterans Day a few days early when U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent Mendez Jr. paid a visit to their campus.
Mendez, in full-dress uniform, came with his son and Ceres kindergartener Vincent Mendez III, to welcome the kids to class on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, and formally read the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mendez, 32, a Marine recruiter in Anaheim who has served tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq, told the festive audience, each holding a miniature American flag, that remembering the people who protect our freedoms is important.
“I’m here to lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance, and to instill in the students the importance of Veterans Day,” Mendez said. He’s served his country for nearly 12 years and plans to make the Marines a career.
Ceres Principal Julie Gonzalez told her students it was an honor for Mendez to visit.
“Today is special to us. On Monday, you do not have school. We are celebrating a very important holiday which is Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a wonderful day when we commemorate all of our men and women who have served in the armed forces,” Gonzalez said. “We have several parents who serve in the armed forces. It could be your parents, your uncles, your grandparents. I particularly have my brother who has served in the Army for over 30 years. It’s a very special day for many of us.
“I want you to pay special attention to your teachers. I know many of you have been reviewing what Veterans Day is and how it came about. It’s a really important and very special event for all of us,” she said.
And for Mendez, the best part of being a Marine?
“The pride,” he said. “For me being a United States Marine is very important. It makes me really proud to know I can protect my family and children like you guys. To be able to go to school … I just want to thank you guys for being good citizens.”
Tim Traeger is former editor of the Whittier Daily News. You can reach him at ttraeger@411whittier.com or by phone at 626-646-7352.