Copyright © 2007 Lathrop Rush -
last updated: July 5, 2009
Lathrop’s Inaugural
Memorial Day Ceremony
City of Lathrop has the most wonderful site for this kind of Ceremony or any kind of Ceremony that is in relationship with
our Hero’s who served our Country.
The site is located at Manuel Valverde Park the Veterans Memorial, beautiful that is what everyone says about it, in fact
many people who gazed onto the Memorial mentions that they would like to have this Memorial in their Community.
Thanks to the co-operation between the Lathrop Veteran’s Memorial Committee, Lathrop Parks & Recreation Staff and
Volunteers and the present Lathrop City Council.
The Ceremony started with Chair Arnita Montiel welcoming everyone this Ceremony of recognition of our Hero’s. Pastor
Bill Barnett of Grace Community Church of Lathrop did the Invocation, Lathrop High School JROTC did the Posting of the
Flag, Gabriel Castellanos sang the National Anthem and Eagle Scout Erik Stolz of Troop #422 preached the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mayor Kristy Sayles introduced the Guest read out the Proclamation and introduced the Keynote Speaker John Serpa.
Mr. Serpa’s who is recognized through the whole USA for his service and High Ranking Status made a speech that was
professional and Heartfelt.
Mrs. Montiel maiden name Elliott introduced the Gold Star Families, they are family members who are related to our Fallen
Hero’s who were Honored on this day. Gaye Valadez spoke out the Role Call & Tolling of the Bell while Veteran Don
Luevano struck the bell for each name that was called. That really touched everyone’s Heart there were some tears of
memories being shared during this part of the Ceremony.
Placing of the Wreath was done by Mayor Kristy Sayles, Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin A. Wallace & Petty Officer 1st
Class Scott M. Kelley. Benediction was preached by Tim Voogd of Lighthouse Community Church resides in Lathrop, Firing
of Volleys was done by Ed Stewart Post #803 Honor Guard and Taps by Brian De Simas.
Mr. and Mrs. Valverde personally provided refreshments for the people who came to pay their respect. Mr. Ron Valverde
is the son of Manuel Valverde for which Lathrop Community Park was named.
Though this Ceremony recognized all of our Hero’s who served in this Great Country, Lathrop dedicated most of its
energy towards the Hero’s from Lathrop.
The following are the Honorees who were recognized During the Ceremony.
World War I: PVT James Joseph Chio - Born in 1900 Killed in Action August 7, 1918 PVT. Chio was living in Lathrop with
his sister Jesse Chio Gatto, Mother of Bennie Gatto when he entered the army. He was with the American Expeditionary
Forces when he received commendations from General John J. Pershing and President Woodrow Wilson.
World War II: CPL. George R. Calloway U.S. Marine Corps – Born July 29, 1916 Killed in Action January 24, 1943. George
Calloway enlisted in the U.S.M.C. October 1940. He was wounded on Guadalcanal, January 24, 1943. The Purple eart
was presented to his closest living relative, Blanche Drugs. Before she passed away, she gave it to Leland Elliott, who
was a close friend and fellow Marine who was also wounded on Guadalcanal 4 days before Cpl. Calloway. “Bud Drugs” as
he was known to friends, was raised in Lathrop by the Drugs Family. Bud attended Lathrop Grammar school and Manteca
High.
S/SGT. Donald V. Rieger U.S. Army Air Corps – Born March 17, 1925 Killed in Action August 8, 1944. S/Sgt. Rieger was
tailgunner on a B17 nickname “Varga Venus.” The Varga Venus was shot down over the tiny village of Perigny in
Normandy, France. Some of his remains were buried at Park View a Cemetery in French Camp in 1948. More remains were
located in 2004 and on August 3, 2008, the rest of his remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Donald was
born to Harrison & Dora Rieger in Minnesota. They moved to Lathrop with their family where Donald attended Lathrop
Grammar School and Manteca High. He was the loving brother of Willard Paul, Eloise, Mary, Dorothy, Helen and Barbara.
Korean War: T/SGT Roscoe Carnes Jr. U.S. Marine Corps – Born December 4, 1923 Killed in Action July 31, 1952. T/Sgt.
Carnes was a member of Headquarters & Service Co. 1st Battalion, 5 Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded the
Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean
Presidential Unit Citation & Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
CPL. Alvin R. Mendez U.S. Army 7th Calvary Regiment 1st Cav Div Infantry Regiment – Born July 26, 1927 Killed in Action
August 7, 1951. Alvin was born in Lathrop to Frank Sr. and Etelvina Mendes and loving brother of John, Frank Jr. and
Laura. He worked on the family farm while he attended Lathrop Grammar School and Manteca High. During the Korean
War, Alvin joined the Merchant Marines. After his discharge, he was drafted into the U. S. Army. He was sent to North
Korea where he lost his life.
Vietnam War: Bosin Mate 3rd Class Charles M. White Sr. U.S. Navy – Born April 2, 1938 Killed in Action January 24, 1968. “Chuck,” as he was known by family and friends, was in the Navy and came home to Lathrop with his friend Bill Lamb and met Bill’s sister-in-law Ethel Mae Bishop. They were married and later he was discharged. They had two children, Diane & Charles Jr. They lived in Lathrop he worked for the Lathrop School. He rejoined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Bosin Mate White was serving in the DMZ with the “River Rats” in the Mekong Delta when he lost his life. His total military time was 10 years.
LCPL Brock D. Elliott U.S. Marine Corps I Co 3rd Batt 5th Marines 1st Marine Division – Born September 9, 1948 Killed in
Action May 26, 1967. Brock was born to Leland & Carmelia Elliott of Lathrop and was welcomed to their home on 6th
Street by siblings Larry & Charlene and proud grandparents Clyde & Rose Brumley and Artie & Juanita Elliot all of Lathrop.
Brock’s parents moved the family to Manteca where he attended elementary school and Manteca High. He excelled in
wrestling and football. With most of his relatives in Lathrop, he spent much of his youth there.
WO Gale Butcher Jr. U.S. Army 114th Air H Command 214th Aviation Battalion 1st Aviation Brigade – Born February 14,
1949 Killed in Action January 8, 1970. WO Butcher was a helicopter pilot. He flew missions between December 27, 1969
when he was assigned to the four man crew and January 8, 1970 when they were shot down. Dale was raised by his
mother Sylvia & stepfather Robert Chaney, along with his sisters Ramona and Joanna. He attended elementary schools in
Lathrop, French Camp and Manteca as well as Manteca High. Gale loved to ski and was employed at Bear Valley Ski
Resort prior to enlisting in the Army.
PFC. Joseph Ernest Tafoya U.S. Army PFC E3 11 B10 Infantryman C Co. 1st BN 18th RGT 1st Infantry Division – Born
October 27, 1947 Killed in Action August 28, 1968. “Ernie,” as he was known by his family and friends was born in
Lathrop to Miquel and Tomasita Tafoya. He was the loving brother of Mike, Randy, Gilbert, Fred Celia, Juanita, Josie and
Ida. He attended Lathrop Elementary and Manteca High. Ernie spent a great deal of his time playing sports in Valverde
Park, especially baseball which he dearly loved. On Memorial Day 1971 a ball field in Valverde Park was dedicated in
memory of Ernie and known as the “Ernie Tafoya Field.”
Iraqi Freedom War: 1st Lt. Michael W. Vega U.S. Army National Guard 223RD Military Intelligence Co. 223RD Military
Intelligence Battalion – Born November 15, 1962 Killed in Action March 20, 2004. Lt. Vega passed away at the Army
Medical Center in Washington D.C. on March 20, from injuries sustained in Iraq on March 11, 2004. Michael is survived by
his father Raphael his mother Maria and stepfather john Nothnagel, four brothers and three sisters. Michael was a
football star at Vallejo High. He was living in the home he had purchased in Lathrop when his unit was called to serve in
Iraq.
Chief WO David Angelo F. Alvarez U.S. Army G CO 52 Aviation 1st of the 214th Battalion Previously with 160TH Night
Stalkers – Born May 15, 1976 Killed in Action November 8, 2007. David is survived by his wife Rachel, father David,
mother Nancy and stepfather Mike Maxwell, grandmother Grace, three sisters and one brother. David was raised in
Lathrop attended Lathrop Elementary and East Union High where he was a straight A student. David was a recipient of
numerous military awards greater than 550 hours piloting Black Hawk helicopters and close to 2,000 hours as a Chicnook
Crew Chief.
Thank You
Lathrop Based Publication Since 1998
LATHROP / WESTON RANCH / FRENCH CAMP
Click photo to enlarge.
