RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - On Nov. 11, Rancho Murieta held its own Veterans Day celebration to honor past and current Armed Services members for their service to their country. 

Approximately 125 people attended the ninth annual “Been There, Done That Café” at the RMA Building, gathering for coffee, donuts, and conversation. 

This year marked the first time the Rancho Murieta Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 12215 hosted the event, taking over the reins from the Rancho Murieta Caregiver Support Group. 

The celebration began outside, where dozens of children, adults, and Scouts lined the walkway waving small American flags and cheering as they thanked the veterans for their service.

Inside, veterans received raffle tickets for an array of gift cards donated by local businesses, then gathered at beautifully decorated tables to share military experiences with fellow veterans, family, and friends. 

The decorations included flags from each branch of the service hanging in front of the windows, a patriotic centerpiece on each table, and an embellished table loaded with donated coffee and donuts. Each veteran also received a hand-drawn card made by students from Cosumnes River Elementary School, Antelope Crossing Middle School, and The Ranch Preschool.  

Bill McCarver, the senior vice-commander of the local VFW post, emceed a brief program. He began by recognizing each branch of the service, asking past and current members to raise their hands, which was met with resounding applause.

“Thank you all for your service,” McCarver said. “We’re glad you came out. … The camaraderie that we have is second to none.”

At his request, members of Scout Troop 633 and Cub Scout Troop 633 presented the colors and led the recitation of the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

McCarver then requested “a moment of silence for those who did not come back and who have passed along the way.” He continued the solemnity by inviting Jenni Roland, a member of the local post, to honor them with a performance of the “National Anthem.”

In another part of the program, JT Turner, owner of Bar Code Barbers, invited veterans to come across the street for a free haircut and street tacos, while Bob Rice, owner of a security firm, announced a $1,000 donation to the VFW Post.

Jose Garcia, a dedicated member of the Rancho Murieta VFW and an employee of the California Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars based in Elk Grove, was eager to share his expertise at the event. Garcia offers free assistance to all veterans, helping them secure or appeal Veterans Administration medical and financial benefits. He can be contacted at 916-509-8712.

Auxiliary President Melissa Mineni led the raffle prize distribution, which included a beautiful handmade quilt donated by the out-of-state sister of event organizer Norma Dawdy.

She and about 10 other auxiliary members had decorated the RMA meeting room the previous day, setting tables, hanging decorations, and arranging raffle prizes. 

“One person can’t do it alone,” Dawdy said.

Mineni expressed the auxiliary’s enthusiasm for the event. “We were happy to carry on this tradition from the caregiver group,” she said. “It was our honor to do this as an auxiliary.

“That is what we are here for, to support the veterans and the community,” she added.

The Rancho Murieta Caregivers Support Group held the first local Veterans Day celebration nine years ago. JoAnn Young, whose late father-in-law John Prenez was a World War II veteran, initially proposed the idea. 

The original organizing committee also included Nan Parquette, Judy Prenez, Erin Reed, and Berniece Jones.