By now you are all aware of Fillmore's own 2010 Fillmore High School Graduate and United States Marine Corps, Corporal Jose A. Patino, calling and then emailing me from Afghanistan to learn how he could have a Military Banner with his name displayed in Fillmore. Since that initial request the Fillmore and Piru Communities have donated $2,250 towards the purchase of not only Corporal Patino's Military Banner, but the remaining monies were generously donated to remain in the account for partial grants for future Military Banners for those men and women currently serving from the Communities of Fillmore and Piru and requesting Military Banners! I am also happy to report that Corporal Patino's Military Banner and those of three others; Victoria Hernandez, United States Navy Marcelino Zavala, United States Marine Corps and Juan C. Garcia, United States Army were installed on Thursday, October 4th at 10:00 A.M. on Central Avenue just North of Highway 126. Family and friends were present in large numbers in front of the Fillmore Unified School District Offices for the presentation of the Military Banners and pictures before they are installed by City of Fillmore Public Works Crews.

Below is the most recent email I received from Corporal Patino acknowledging the Military Banner that will be displayed in his honor:
“Good morning sir,
I apologize for the delay I just recently arrived to another F.O.B "Camp Dwyer". I read all your emails and I am truly speechless. All the effort you have put into not just helping myself with the privilege of displaying my own banner, but with the time and respect of attending the rededication memorial of 1st
Lieutenant Toby Gritz. Without the Fillmore Gazette I would have no idea of what's going on in my home town of Fillmore. Knowing that you also did your time as a Marine I know you remember that our Marine Corps has a saying "ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE " and you have truly held that to the highest standards by taking your time to help the WHOLE community of Fillmore in the hard work and efforts you put into the Gazette. I would like to thank the community of Fillmore & Piru for all the tremendous support in making this possible. I would also like to thank my family; Rebecca and our son Dominik " daddy will home soon son" , along with my mother Gabriela, sister Gaby and my brother Ruben. Thank you for all the support and love you have given me. Mr. Diaz, you can contact Rebecca Botson at (deleted) to coordinate the presence of my family. Once again Mr. Diaz I am truly thankful for the help you have given me. SEMPER FI and I'll see you soon Sir.”

Receiving an email like this one from someone serving in harms way in Afghanistan truly does make me feel rewarded that I could help Corporal Patino in the small way I did. But reading the email again carefully I see I missed some obvious hints that I was in for a big surprise soon! The surprise was that as I was meeting some of the Patino Family members in attendance I approached a young man standing near the approximate 30 family members of the Patino Family. I asked if this young man if he was with the Patino Family? The young man looked at me and said I am Jose! The two of us shook hands and embraced as I introduced myself to him. What a surprise it was for me and I suspect for all of his family since Corporal Patino told me he had arrived the night before on a two week leave. Corporal Patino thanked me for the help I gave to him in getting his banner and we shook hands one more time before I left him to spend time with his family.

I am also thankful for the ability those currently serving so far from home to be able to access the Fillmore Gazette to read about what is happening in their home town! I know in a way this makes them feel connected to us back at home and gives them real time confirmation that we all support their efforts! To those men and women currently serving I would like to say we all support you and are proud of you! Each and every one of you are truly American Heroes! We thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you are now making and for those you and your family will make in the future. Welcome home Corporal Patino! Semper Fidelis Corporal Jose A. Patino! Congratulations to all of you!

There is now a good representation of Military Banners on display throughout the Central Avenue and Sespe Avenue area, but the time has come to start removing those Banners that belong to now former military service members who have been discharged. This needs to be done so as to make room for new military members' Banners of those currently serving. Acting City Manager/Fire Chief Rigo Landeros has asked that those who are no longer currently serving to contact the City of Fillmore, Virginia de la Piedra, 524-4154, or (militarybanners@yahoo.com) or me, (dickdiaz@roadrunner.com) so that your Military Banner can be taken down and presented to you at a formal celebration of your service in front of the Fillmore City Council. Mr. Landeros expects this formal presentation would occur approximately twice a year so that the presentations are not done piecemeal. Again thank all of you for your service!