El Dorado hosts 9th annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Fallen Heroes Memorial on campus

On Wednesday, November 10, El Dorado High School (EDHS) hosted its ninth annual Veterans Day ceremony at its Fallen Heroes Memorial on campus. Each year, the ceremony is supported by Placentia Boy Scout Troop 723, the Binnings family, and the school’s choral and digital media arts programs.

The Fallen Heroes Memorial was constructed in 2013 as an Eagle Scout project by Andrew Binnings, a 2014 EDHS graduate. The Memorial honors the three El Dorado graduates who sacrificed their lives defending the country – U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant William Harrell (92), U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Claudio “Nene” Patiño IV (06), U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Michael Weaver (07).

“Each of these golden hawks made the decision to serve their country and paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives. It is their dedication, service, and devotion that we are here today to honor,” Principal Joey Davis shared to the audience. “I think about the fact that they walked the same steps to get from one end of campus to another. They sat in the same classrooms as each of you. They went to school with or were taught by the same teachers that teach you. They sat in the same seats in the Theatron to eat lunch as you. I find that connection inspiring.”

This year’s ceremony speakers included a keynote address from Colonel Sean P. Dynan, Commanding Officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Bill Little, former PYLUSD teacher and EDHS coach. EDHS ASB President, Abby Livergood, served as the emcee for the event and student, Hayley Bennett, read a poem and lead a moment of silence.

In front of the ceremony’s reflective audience, Col Dynan spoke of the honor and sacrifice that veterans have made that led to this celebration of freedom. He then conducted a ceremonious Veteran Roll Call. Name after name, Veterans in attendance responded, “Sir, here, sir,” until the names of the fallen Golden Hawks were announced. To commemorate the fallen, two EDHS trumpeters, Gabe Mouleart and Kent Kawata, played “Taps,” the distinctive melody performed at U.S. military funerals and memorials.

All students and staff were able to live stream the Veterans Day ceremony in their classrooms courtesy of El Dorado’s Digital Media Arts Academy. The full ceremony is available to watch here.