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Another name added to Tracy War Memorial
 Jim Calvert play “Taps” today to end the Veterans Day ceremonies at the Tracy War Memorial. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
Sgt. 1st Class Tung Nguyen’s name was carved into the stone monument last week and was unveiled as more than 200 people showed up in respect of military veterans.
 Council members Steve Abercrombie, Irene Sundberg, Evelyn Tolbert and Mayor Brent Ives uncover the name on the war memorial. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
Nguyen came to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 15 and joined the U.S. Army right after he graduated from Tracy High School in 1986. He made the Army his career and was a member of the elite Green Berets.
“It’s all he ever wanted to do,” Cracraft said. Nguyen, 38, was in the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, when he was killed while fighting in Baghdad on Nov. 14, 2006.
 Relatives of servicemen that died in the Iraq war include: Lisa and Jim Cracraft (left), Scott and Julia Conover, Loretta Bridges, Jan Martinez and Nadia McCaffrey. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
“To see another name is always heartbreaking to me,” said Nadia McCaffrey, one of four Gold Star Mothers from Tracy at today’s event. Also in attendance were Loretta Bridges, Dewey’s mother Julia Conover and her husband, Scott, and Jan Martinez.
“Now that it’s done, we have to heal our wounds and support each other,” McCaffrey said.
 Congressman Jerry McNerney speaks during the Veterans Day ceremonies in Tracy. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
“I want them to know about what Tracy does for its veterans,” she said.
Today’s ceremony included a speech by Sgt. 1st Class Valentino Vaughn, who works at Defense Distribution Center San Joaquin on Chrisman Road, and has served in Iraq, Israel, Bosnia, Germany and Somalia. Vaughn told the crowd how addition of Nguyen’s name to the memorial defined the meaning of a day dedicated to all military veterans.
“We know that the defense of freedom is worth the sacrifice,” Vaughn said. “Every day is a bonus, but no one knows that better than the veterans and their families. I feel that every day is a blessing.”
 Veterans representing all military branches, from left, Bill Figone (Coast Guard), Richard Green (Navy), Martin Sasser (Air Force), Charles Norton (Marines Corps) and Valentino Vaughn (Army) lay a wreath at the war memorial. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
“We have these images, sounds and feelings embedded in our hearts and souls,” he said.
He added that veterans appreciate that a day is set aside to honor them and also that people will thank them individually for their service.
“In most cases, that will mean more than any medal they could have been awarded.”
 Sgt. 1st Class Valentino Vaughn addresses the crowd as the main speaker today. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
“A lot of the country’s traditions mean a lot more after you’ve served,” he said, adding that he has more respect than ever for the older veterans he meets who fought in Vietnam, Korea and World War II.
• To reach reporter Bob Brownne call 830-4227 or e-mail
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