Community Corner
Two Veterans’ Homecomings, One to Cheers and One to Tears
Ronald V. Zulueta, 38, returned to overjoyed family and friends, while over 100 individuals honored Henry Lew, 21, this weekend.
American Legion Post 105 hosted two welcome home celebrations this weekend, one more bittersweet than the other, but no less honorary.
Staff Sgt. Ronald V. Zulueta, 38, arrived home to the cheers and applause of family and friends, while over 100 patriots created a flag line at Golden Gate National Cemetery to honor fallen comrade Lance Corporal Henry Lew, 21.
Both men were stationed in Afghanistan during their time in the U.S. Army. Zulueta saw three tours and earned a Puple Heart while on duty in Salerno, Afghanistan. After a brief visit with family, the 19-year-veteran will be stationed in Santa Barbara. The Patriot Guard and Blue Star Moms met and escorted him from San Francisco to Redwood City, where Post 105 members greeted him.
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After a brief ceremony by the Patriot Guard President, life returned to normal even just for a few days and family and friends gathered to share a light lunch. With barely more than a moment’s rest, Zulueta ran the Pat Tillman Memorial Marathon Saturday.
And while Zulueta was running the marathon, over 100 community members, including Vietnam War veterans, awaited Lew’s hearse. Lew is the nephew of Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA). While some saluted and some held flags, all joined in a line that extended from the cemetery gate to the circle. Only two days in Afghanistan, he was killed while on watch. LCp Lew attended Santa Clara High School, and was the school's first graduate to die in the Middle East.
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Post 105 and its members actively participate in veteran events beyond the welcome home. The vision of the American Legion is to support veterans returning from battle and their families readjust to civilian life. The Post supports events at the local junior colleges, the VA hospitals and Veteran Centers, as well as community activities such as Boy Scouts and Little League baseball.
Located at 651 El Camino Real, Post 105 invites veterans from all branches and war eras to visit a general meeting, have supper with the members and make Post 105 their veteran home.
