The names of 66 men — who once traveled downtown Manteca streets — are on display on 40 banners attached to street light poles in the central district for the month of May.
They are the fallen from Manteca who were lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror.
The banners are part of a month-long endeavor known as “Avenue of Our Heroes”.
The Manteca City Council in 2023 proclaimed that the month of May will be known as “The Month to Honor and Remember” the men of our community who gave their all.
Avenue of Our Heroes that debuted that year was the result of efforts led by Pastor Mike Dillman and Ron Cruz. Both are Vietnam veterans.
There are 40 banners placed on Yosemite Avenue and on Main Street. Each one has a photo on each side with the name and war.
In addition to the 66 names of the fallen there are recognition banners of the military branches, VFW Post 6311 and American Legion Post 249, as well as the official proclamation information.
“We wanted to make sure those from the Manteca area are honored and remembered for the ultimate sacrifice they have made,” Cruz said Thursday.
“There is a phrase you see on T-shirts, ‘All Gave Some, Some Gave All’. These men gave their all so everyone else can go about enjoying their freedom. We believe (someone who is killed in action) is never forgotten until we forget their names.”
Manteca lost 34 men during World War II.
They were Americus Bettencourt, Anthony Blanco, James H. Blankenship, George R. Calloway, James R. Connors, Bertram F. Daviner, Fred D. Ettle, Walter F. Gibson Jr., Kenneth Grisham, Leslie Harding, Homer Spence,Donald R. Hanson, Frederick Hesser-Farrer, Francis R. Jackson Jr., Harold C. Jensen, Lauren E. Littlefield, John R. Machado, Clifford Malyon Jr., Frank Martin, , Seraphine S. Mederos, Carl A. Petersen, Viggo V. Petersen, Joseph A. Pfister Jr., Angelo A. Ponzio, Donald V. Rieger, George R. Shaffer, Dale Sizemore, Rhys Smith, Homer A. Spence, Delos Stetler, Everett L. Turnbull, Roy Warner, James H. Weeks, Cyril J. Whisman, and William B. Winchester.
The fallen from the Manteca area in World War I were Hope McFall, Earl Woodward, and James Joseph Chio.
The Korean War fallen were Gordon Thompson, Alvin R. Mendes, Billy Freeman, Clarence Avila, Clarence McNames, Louis Gomes, and John C. Martin.
Those falling in the Vietnam War were Brock Elliott, Charles White, Fredrick Lopez, William McJimsey, David Gore, Jesse Rodriguez, Carol Borgen, Jospeh Tafoya, Robert Davenport. Joseph A. Lewis Jr., Bruce Sours, Larry Motley, Jack Landers, James Lowry, W. Grant Uhis, William Morgan, and Gale Butcher.
The Global War on Terror fallen were Charles Palmer II and Michael W. Vegas.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
