On Thursday, May 23, about a dozen youths placed more than 50 flags at the gravesites of veterans who are buried at the cemetery. Many are relatives of the youths who were there that day, bringing another level of meaning to the task at hand. They were reminded how important to the community and to all those who served in the military to have them remembered in this way and that they should be proud of their involvement.

While there, the young men and women also tidied up the sites by removing debris and straightening overturned vases and more. Four members of the Soboba Fire Department took rakes and other tools to the parking area where guests would gather for the ceremony the following Monday, May 27. They raked up debris from shade trees and leveled out the surfaces.

Capt. Frank Martinez, who is part of the Wildland Urban Interface crew, made sure everyone had the proper tools to take care of the cleanup. Fire Apparatus Engineer Glenn Lindsey said the cemetery is a special project for the fire department, always keeping it clean and looking nice.

“It’s personal for me; I have family buried here and I want to make sure they are taken care of,” he said. “Me and my family come up here all the time to clean up and throw out dead flowers and things like that; it’s something you grow up doing around here.”

Soboba Tribal Youth Council membership is open to youth from 12-18 who are Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal members and those who are of Native American descent. Along with providing an understanding of the functions and responsibilities of Tribal government, participation provides leadership development and spiritual, mental, physical and social growth, as well as opportunities to attend cultural events. They host many fundraisers to cover expenses for the group’s activities.

In between the monthly in-person meetings, members and the Advisory Board stay connected through a group chat app where they can share information about upcoming events and make collective decisions. Officers are Chairwoman Rhianna Salgado, 16, Vice Chairwoman Raya Salgado, 14, Secretary Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 15, Treasurer Aniyah Brittian, 12, and Member-at-Large Nowaniiki Resvaloso, 13.

Advisory Board members include Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas and other department staff, Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado and Secretary Monica Herrera and parents of youth council members. The youth-led council, under the guidance of its Advisory Board, is affiliated with the United National Tribal Youth network, also known as UNITY.

The Soboba Tribal Youth Council constitution and bylaws outline the objectives of the group, which is to provide a collective voice and represent the Tribal youth in all matters that concern them; to serve as a means of mobilizing and coordinating the actions of the youth, other community members and organize them towards positive goals; to promote the development of future Tribal leaders; and to complete community service projects and provide opportunities for the youth to interact with the community for fun and fellowship.

The Memorial Day ceremony began at dawn when Gabe Herrera from Soboba Fire quickly raised the American flag to full-staff position and then slowly lowered it to half-staff to honor the fallen service men and women of this country. Veteran Richard VanDyke-Parker raised it back to full staff at 11 a.m. in recognition of living military veterans who served the country and it remained at full staff until sunset. Richard served in the U.S. Navy from 1975-1996. This action marked the end of the ceremony that had started with prayer from St. Joseph Catholic Church Reverend Earl Henley. A morning mass had been held at the church before parishioners joined him at the veterans’ memorial, a permanent fixture at the east end of the cemetery that is “dedicated to the memory of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and non-Tribal Members who gave their all for us.” Father Henley also called for a moment of silence for the fallen.

After a blessing of the marker, members of Soboba Tribal Youth Council took turns reading names in memory and honor of those who served in the military. Alphabetically, honored Soboba Tribal Veterans whose names were read during the roll call were M.J. Apapas,  Daniel Arres, Gordon Arres, Norbit Arres, Theodore P. Arres, Leonard Arrietta Sr., Ralph C. Arrietta, Robert Arrietta, Anderson Begay, Robert Bentiste, Larry C. Boniface, Paul Boniface, , Gabriel Castello, Peter F. Castello,  Gloria Cozart, Jessie M. Gilmore,  Benny C. Helms Sr., Reginald P. Helms, Romaldo A. Helms, Martin Hurtado, Joe John Lala, Tiefielo Francis Lugo, Kenneth Mathers, Marcus E. Mojado, Danny Navarro, David Navarro, Paul A. Resvaloso, Prudencio Resvaloso, Ernest Salgado Sr., Richard Salgado Sr., Albert Silvas, Allynn Silvas, Daniel Silvas, Frank “Chico” Silvas, Joe “Jody” Silvas, Eloy Soza, Frank E. Soza, Michael Soza, William P. Soza, John Vincent Valdez, Carmel Paul Valenzuella and Louis Vivanco.

Non-Tribal veterans, whose names were included in the roll call, were Eugene F. Arenas, Tony D. Basquez Sr., Bruce Cozart, Miguel R. Briones, Refugio R. Garcia Jr., Orvin D. Gilmore, Foster Hurtado Sr., Andrew Jackson, Ben Largo, Arthur R. Lopez Sr., Mariano Steven Largo,  Leonard Lubo, Senon Lubo, Richard Patrick Macy, Fred Miranda Sr., Peter D. Morillo Sr., Pio Morillo,  James Paul Navarro,  Phillip Rodriguez, Mariano Tortez and James Walker.

Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco, who was invited to the microphone to say a few words, said it was great to see the turnout that seems to increase each year.

“I think it’s important that we come out and not only say thanks to our veterans but also to memorialize and remember those that have served and are no longer here with us. It’s important to make sure that we pay that tribute to keep their history and names alive.”

He introduced fellow Tribal Council members Geneva Mojado, Mike Bentiste, Monica Herrera and Daniel Valdez. “I also want to thank the fire department, Sports Complex staff Andy (Silvas) and Steve (Lopez) and youth council. Our youth council has been working to make sure the flags get out to those that need remembrance, making sure that all the graves of all our lost heroes are marked and remembered. It’s important that we continue that tradition and I think with the youth learning where these markers are at, that tradition will be carried on and that’s something we need to be thankful for.”

He said that under the tutelage of elder Marian Chacon, the youth are learning how to continue the traditions that are so important to the people of Soboba. Guests at the Memorial Day event were invited to a brunch at the Soboba Sports Complex after the ceremony and enjoyed delicious food served by members of the Soboba Youth Council who hosted the meal.

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In preparation for the event, the youth spent the morning of May 21 placing flags on the graves of more than 50 veterans who are buried there. Because of the uncertainty if the annual event would be able to be held amid the coronavirus crisis, last minute cleaning and maintenance was entrusted to the Soboba Public Works Department. In past years, the youth have cleaned at the time they place flags.

Roo Briones said it’s important to her to participate in these activities because the future is up to all youth and they need to learn what to do and how to do it.

“It is good for the tribe to recognize our veterans for their contributions,” said Roo, 14.

Leah Lopez said that many veterans got injured or died in the process of serving our country and she feels it is a good thing that the tribe honors them.

Soboba Youth Council Co-coordinator Andy Silvas is also director of Soboba Parks and Recreation. His department and members of the Soboba Fire Department were at the cemetery to help youth locate the veterans’ graves and make sure the flags were secure at each one.

“This event is about those who have fallen in service to our country to secure the freedoms we have today,” Silvas said. “We can’t forget them.”

Prior to the Soboba Youth Council taking over the annual project about four years ago, Soboba Elder Marian Chacon said she and her family and friends volunteered their time to do it. She attended a youth council meeting about four years ago and suggested they take it over.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of our youth,” Chacon said. “My mom and aunt started this many years ago and I used to help them. When they passed, I continued to do it on my own for about 10 or 15 years. I’m so glad the youth council is doing such a great job with it.”

Jeremiah Ramos was proud to personally place flags on his grandfathers’ graves – one who fought in World War I and the other in WWII. He said honoring the veterans with flags and the ceremony on Memorial Day shows the love and respect for veterans that they deserve.

“Our veterans need to be noticed for what they did in protecting our country,” said Iyana Briones, who has been the youth council’s chairwoman for three years. “They stood up for us and some gave their lives for us, so we need to show we care and that we noticed.”

About 50 people assembled around the stone and granite Veteran’s Memorial at the north end of the cemetery on May 25. The Rev. Earl Henley of St. Joseph Mission at Soboba offered prayers for the veterans, our nation and all its citizens.

A memorial roll call of veteran tribal veterans and non-tribal veterans buried at Soboba Cemetery was read by youth council members Roo Briones and Emma Organ. After the 15-minute ceremony, guests were invited to a drive-through brunch at the Sports Complex hosted by Soboba Youth Council. To-go boxes were filled and taken to each vehicle that arrived at the east side of the gymnasium.

In memory and honor of those who served:

Soboba Tribal Veterans

U.S. Air Force: Louis Vivanco

U.S. Women’s Air Force: Gloria Cozart, Jessie M. Gilmore

U.S. Army: M.J. Apapas, Daniel Arres, Leonard Arrietta, Ralph C. Arrietta, Robert Arrietta, Robert Bentiste, Peter F. Castello, Benny C. Helms Sr., Reginald P. Helms, Romaldo A. Helms, Martin Hurtado, Joe John Lala, Tiefielo F. Lugo, Danny Navarro, David Navarro, Ernest Salgado Sr., Albert Silvas, Allynn Silvas, Daniel Silvas, Frank “Chico” Silvas, Joe “Jody” Silvas, Eloy Soza, Frank Soza

U.S. Marine Corps: Larry C. Boniface, Paul Boniface, Paul A. Resvaloso, Prudencio Resvaloso, William P.  Soza, John V. Valdez, Carmel P. Valenzuella

U.S. Navy: Norbit Arres, Theodore P. Arres, Marcus E. Mojado, Michael Soza

Non-Tribal Veterans

U.S. Air Force: Bruce Cozart, Philip Rodriguez, James Walker

U.S. Army: Eugene Arenas, Miguel Briones, Refugio R. Garcia Jr., Orvin D. Gilmore, Ben Largo, Arthur R. Lopez Sr., Mariano S. Largo, Leonard Lubo, Senon Lubo, Richard Macy, Peter O. Morillo, Pio Morillo, James P. Navarro, Mariano Tortez

U.S. Navy: Foster Hurtado Sr., Andrew Jackson, Fred Miranda Sr.

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