Lloyd Wofford on Wednesday was standing where the rightfield of Manteca’s “City Park” baseball field was located in the early 1940s.

That was when Wofford, as a young man, was one of 958 men and women from the Manteca area who joined the military as part of the World War II effort.

Back then, Manteca was a farm town of 1,981 with more rural residents than city residents as opposed to today being on the cusp of a population of 100,000.

On Wednesday, the 103 year-old was honored as Manteca’s oldest veteran from World War II during Veterans’ Day ceremonies.

The 300 plus people gathered — fellow veterans and others — recognized him as being part of The Greatest Generation.

But for generations of Manteca youth, the principal of Golden West School or a teacher.

As such, Wofford’s life underscores a point made by keynote speaker Retired Army Major General Eldon Regua.

The men and women who have donned uniforms are also nation and community builders.

Those that returned home from times of war and those that did so after serving to keep the peace set about pursuing careers, raising families, and volunteering in their communities.

And while not all served in a war zone, Regua noted what they did to support the effort or helped maintain the peace also deserves the respect of others and the right to be proud veterans.

The math proves Regua’s point.

There are 39.8 million Californians.

Among them 1.4 million veterans — the largest number among the states when it comes to where this nation’s 20 million veterans live.

There are 349.6 million Americans with less than 1 percent or 2.2 million that currently wear the nation’s uniform including 772,000 reserve troops.

The fact Wofford was an educator underlined another point Regua shared.

What serving in Iraq, he was at a dinner with a two-star Iraqi general who he asked what his goals were for his country given Saddam Hussein had finally been driven by power.

The goals: Every father could secure a job, their kids could go to school, and their families could live in a safe community.

“Sounds a lot like us,” Regua said.

The 12-year Manteca resident then referenced the Army’s so-called “Diaper Division” — the nickname given the 75th Infantry Division deployed to Euripe during World War II as the majority was comprised of draftees and soldiers under the age of 21.

He noted among the ranks of those who returned home were many who continued their education and became lawyers, engineers, doctors and teachers.

A teacher is what Wofford became after serving in Okinawa and The Philippines.

That said, Regua stressed the need for the nation to be there for veterans and provide the services they need often long after they return from war.

He noted the “distraction” imposed by the responsibilities of raising and supporting families often delays them suffering post-traumatic stress disorder until they are much older.

“Too many veterans continue to struggle with visible and invisible wounds of war,” Regua said.

He told veterans and those gathered to honor veterans to do so not just with a “thank you for your service.”

“We must teach future generations what it means to be an American,” Regua said as a way to cement the legacy of those who have served.

He reminded the crowd there would be no America today if 250 years ago soldiers didn’t secure out freedoms.

Regua noted less than 5 percent of the people in the world live in America and less than 1 percent of those have ever served in the military.

“We won the lottery, Regua said. “We live in the United States of America.”

Manteca’s first Veterans

Day parade drew 1,000+

There were more than 1,000 people that lined the three block route of Manteca’s first Veterans Day parade on Wednesday.

“When we look at the American flag we see freedom,” Mayor Gary Singh said, during his talk thanking veterans.

Singh noted the city is stepping up efforts to assist veterans including a partnership with The Way church to provide housing for homeless veterans.

Singh also worked closely with American Legion Post 249 to bring back the Memorial Weekend Commemoration at Woodward Park .

San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal, who secured $50,000 for the Memorial Weekend effort, also spoke.

Dhaliwal also obtained $789,500 in funds from the county that allowed for the modernization and remodel of the American Legion Post 249 hall.

“We can promise you one thing,” Dhaliwal told the veterans. “We will never forget (your service).”

McFall-Grisham American Legion Post 249 Commander Karleen Kurys stressed Veterans Day honors all veterans and not just those that were in battle.

Kurys noted the men and women who serve commit two years or more to protecting their country whether it is in times of peace or war.

“Veterans served in different capacities,” Kurys said. “Not all served on a battlefield far from home.”

She noted it literally takes a small army to handle logistics and their essential support for soldiers, pilots, and others.

Michael Cearley, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6311 that co-staged the Veterans Day ceremonies with American Legion Post 249, thanked the community for showing veterans their service matters,.

“Today, the contract (enlistees sign) is still valid” Cearley said. “The debt is real.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com