GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – The Gridley Museum is paying tribute to local veterans with their Veterans Day Display, now back for its second year.

Currently hanging in the windows of the museum are photos and bios of local veterans that served in wars dating back to WW2, Korean and Vietnam wars.  The museum combs through old historical records and reaches out to family members for information and photos of the veterans featured. Typically, around 10 veterans are chosen to highlight from the Gridley, Biggs and Richvale areas.

This year, the Museum has selected the following veterans to showcase:

Lt. Co U.S.A.F., Lloyd Andes from Biggs. Andes fought in 3 wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam and received the Vietnam Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Theater Ribbon, and was a member of the Freedom Flight.

Shigeo J. “Jack” Tanimoto served as a Tech, 4^th Grade in the U.S. Army during WWII as an interpreter. He was awarded the Silver Star for his service to our country.

Sgt. U.S. Army, Tim Youzo Tokuno served during WWII. He was a member of the 442 Regimental Combat Team – a group of volunteer American soldier of Japanese ancestry. According to an article in the Congressional Record, the 442 Combat Team, a “segregated Japanese American unit is remembered today as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the US Military. It is said that the 442 Combat Team rivaled that of the famed 100^th Infantry Purple Heart Battalion.

Eleanor (Webb) Williams served during WWII as an Aviation Machinist Mate, Second Class in the U.S. Navy. She reportedly said she was “Proud to have served my country and break barriers for other women.”

Also, a patriotic lady, Clarice Dukes served during WWII as a Yeoman 1^st class in the W.A.V.E.S branch.

Three generations of a local family served our nation. Lester C. Lynk as a U.S. Navy ENG. 2C in WWII, Donna L. (Lynk) Jones as a Seaman Apprentice in the U.S. Navy and as a member of the U.S. Navy Drill Team, and Patty Jones as a Staff Sgt. In the U.S.A.F.

Floyd Raymond Jensen served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a member of the 498^th Bombardment Squadron “The Falcons” and flew with the 345^th Bombardment Group. His service was honored with the Air Medal.

Robert Milling was also selected to be recognized by the Gridley Museum for this service during WWII as a U.S. Marine Pilot. He was shot down but recovered after spending over an hour and half stranded in the sea.

Another group of brave souls was a family of 5 brothers who all served but in different branches. According to the Gridley Museum, these veterans were Cpl. Luis Ruiz Jr. – U.S. Army WWII in Germany, Cpl. Pedro Ruiz – U.S. Marine Corps WWII in the South Pacific, S/Sgt. Arnulto Ruiz WWII – U.S. Army Korea, Cpl. Ruben Babe Ruiz – U.S. Army Armed Forces Occupation in Germany, and Cpl. Angelo Alfonso – U.S. Marine Corp in Korea.

Rounding out the list is veteran Frank Heinrich. The 100-year-old veteran served in the U.S. Navy; His three other brothers also served during WWII. This year, Heinrich will speak at the museum, sharing a history of his time in the service, his experiences and even his brothers’ experiences. Heinrich will be at the Gridley Museum Open House on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11^th from noon – 3 pm.

This Veterans Day, please take a moment to stop and read the detailed account of each of these Patriots that lived in our small towns. Pat Teague of the museum says, “It’s really important to honor our local veterans that served because some of them really went above and beyond the call of duty and were true heroes.”