Morgan Hill residents came out in large numbers Nov. 11 to remember and celebrate veterans of all ages and locales in the city’s downtown.
The morning started with the annual Veterans Day ceremony organized by Eddie Bowers, a Morgan Hill resident who served in Vietnam. The ceremony took place at the First Street Veterans Memorial in the median of Monterey Road.
The event consisted of local children singing patriotic songs, a prayer, wreath laying, reading of the names of local residents who died in combat, flag raising and playing of “Taps.” The ceremony, which has grown significantly in terms of spectator interest in recent years, drew well over 100 people to the Monterey Road downtown median.
After the 30-minute ceremony, half a block up First Street began the third annual Veterans Day Run. More than 160 runners participated in the fundraiser for veterans organizations. Proceeds from the run—which included 5K, 10K and Walk options—will go to benefit Operation Freedom Paws, Dreampower Horsemanship, Taj100, Wounded Warrior Project and Morgan Hill Freedom Fest, according to event organizer Charles Weston. San Jose’s Christopher Colburn won the 10K run and Peter Trudelle won the 5K run.
All of the benefiting organizations provide nonprofit services for veterans or, in the case of Freedom Fest, promote patriotism and support for military veterans.
The event gathered about $12,000 worth of sponsorships, Weston said.
Weston is also a Morgan Hill resident who served in Vietnam. He added that more than 20 veterans ran in the Nov. 11 Veterans Day Run.
