Atascadero honors war veterans at Faces of Freedom ceremony

Veterans of many wars were honored Friday with a beautiful, solemn ceremony at the Faces of Freedom Memorial near Atascadero Lake.

Several hundred people braved the hot sun to honor the veterans of multiple branches of service. A historic military plane flyover, performed by the Estrella Warbirds, started off the ceremony, along with Emy Bruzzo singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Presentation of colors was performed by Grizzly Academy cadets with music by the Central Coast Pipes and Drums.

The Veterans of the Year Awards, presented by retired Col. Bill Hatch, U.S. Army, were given to local residents Charlie Harber, U.S. Army Air Corps, and Joseph Hale, U.S. Marine Corps, with both men sharing funny anecdotes of their time in service during World War II.

Harber, 96, became a jet mechanic for United Airlines after his service and still helps the Estrella Warbirds in Paso Robles. Hale, who went on to work at Walt Disney Studios, was in the Battle of Iwo Jima and saw the aftermath of the Nagasaki atomic bomb blast.

“These men’s lives were incredible after the war,” Hatch said. “And that’s why I recognize these men today — because they came back and they were really part of rebuilding America after the war.”

San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong and sons Derek and Darin performed taps on trumpets. The Gold Coast Quilters Guild honored veterans with the Quilts of Valor presentation, handing them patriotic-themed quilts.

A tri-tip sandwich barbecue, sponsored by the Atascadero Kiwanis Club, followed the event.

This story was originally published November 11, 2016 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Atascadero honors war veterans at Faces of Freedom ceremony."