Troops honored as families gather for picnics and great music

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Published July 26th, 2017

Troops honored as families gather for picnics and great music

By Pippa Fisher

World Airline flight attendants, from left, Loren Bente, Veronica Villano, Nancy Peppin, Yolanda "Jolie" Vega, Margie Sikes, Aimee Johnson. And little dog Daisy. Photo Pippa Fisher

Blazing sunshine and sizzling heat didn't stop a large crowd showing up July 15 at Lafayette Reservoir to express their gratitude to the troops and especially to those Gold Star families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Families enjoyed their picnics and stayed as cool as possible in the shade to the sounds of great music from the Big Band of Rossmoor and Eagles tribute band, Midnight Flyer.

Yolanda (Jolie) Vega, whose own son was killed on active duty in Afghanistan, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and thanked the crowd for their support.

Also at the event, in addition to many present and past military members, were several people who worked with Vega as flight attendants on World Airways during the Vietnam War.

Vega explained, "World (Airways) received a military contract to fly military to various bases in Asia - Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam."

Vega said she was based out of Yokota Air Base for three years. "All of us who flew into military bases during the Vietnam War received an identification card from the Military Airlift Command under the Department of Defense. We were covered under the Geneva Convention(s) and were given officer ranks."

Once again, the annual event was a resounding success.



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