On May 15, the Veterans Group of San Quentin hosted its annual Armed Services Banquet in the gymnasium. More than 130 residents, administrators, and outside guests attended the event.
Centerpieces made of paper-constructs of military service vehicles decorated banquet tables. A ceremonial table for missing Prisoner’s of War with an empty chair sat on the side.
“You sacrificed and served us all for your country. Your incarceration does not change that,” Warden C. Andes spoke about his regret to have never stood in a veterans shoes to serve and protect our nation’s liberties. “We share something in common, we each serve the people. You always have my support please continue the tradition,” Andes said.
The ceremony started with VGSQ members escorting guests of honor to their table up front.
VGSQ Chair Noah Winchester, got right into honorary mentions and recognitions. He said 11 members successfully paroled since last year’s banquet. He referenced a Navy vessel symbolically and challenged VGSQ members to stay committed to honor, courage, commitment, justice, and service. He encouraged the more than 70 members to embrace the investments and opportunities presented by the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s administration.
“Words without action are empty vessels destined to run aground in the shallow waters of our wishes, but needed help along the way and confused to which way our destination had taken us,” Winchester said. “We stray deeper in our own ways as damaged vessels. VGSQ is a dry dock for our vessels as we rebuild our ships through programs and educational classes seeking to combat our thinking, pitching our sails, and harvesting the winds of suitability and humanity.”
Winchester acknowledged administrators and supporters as functioning parts of a ship [incarcerated persons] and highlighted their roles and impact within the institution.
VGSQ executive body, presented trophies to VGSQ sponsor Tina Rutsch, administrative supporters Warden Chance Andes, Chief Deputy E. Patao, Public Information Officer Lt. Berry, correctional officer’s Hawert and Wallis, Nurse Busbee, Dr. Tootell, Vice Principal H. Lucas and Chaplain Father G. Williams. External support members C. Gasper, D. Donovan, A. Trody, and James Fox for their continued support of the veterans’ community. Resident artist Scott McKinstry handcrafted the trophies.
Guest of honor and keynote speaker Lt. G. Berry told attendees the SQRC administration is committed to providing access to mental health and educational resources.
“We are the pillars of rehabilitation and my hope is that other institutions see what we are doing. All wardens can sit down and see what we are doing to get resources in other facilities and get everyone committed to rehabilitation,” Berry said.
A small table stood isolated on the side that represented those missing and lives lost, the Prisoner’s of War, a table setting for one. A white cloth symbolized the purity of intentions to respond to the call-to-arms. A single rose displayed in a vase for families and loved ones of comrades in arms who keep faith awaiting their return. A lemon slice for the bitter fate of service members and the salt on the plate for their families tears. A Bible symbolized strength gained through faith. The empty chair was a tribute to a brother lost this last year Garry Gorgie.
The culmination of the event was a Marine Corps ceremonial cutting of the cake that took place after the Color Guard marched the cake to a table with a VGSQ detail. The tradition is that the eldest and youngest members receive a piece of cake first. Paul Mason, 84 years young and Codi Slayton, 25 years old stood at attention as a 4th piece was placed posthumously on the POW table.
The cake represented the annual renewal of service members for honor, courage, and commitment in the quest for worldwide peace.
