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Date: 11/13/2023
SPRINGFIELD — Ahead of Veterans Day and the city of Springfield’s annual parade, the 37th Annual Veteran of the Year Ceremony took place on Nov. 6 to name the 2023 recipient and parade marshal.
Alberto Rodriguez, a U.S. Army peacetime veteran, was named Veteran of the Year, and Francisco Luna, U.S. Army veteran and 12-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department, was named the parade marshal.
Bill Walls, chair of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee, explained that one of the committee’s mandates is to elect both a veteran and parade marshal from the Greater Springfield area. “We select a veteran who has not only served our nation but continues to make contributions for the betterment of our society,” he said.
Rodriguez, who is currently employed by the city of Springfield as a municipal group coordinator, has also served as the co-chair of the Rays of Hope, helping raise awareness for breast cancer.
Beginning in 1977, Rodriguez served six years in the Army, until he was honorably discharged.
Mayor Domenic Sarno noted that Rodriguez takes “great pride” in the community events that honor and respect all veterans.
“Al is always here behind the scenes doing the onsite preparation work” for the various events that take place at City Hall, Sarno said.
He went on to say that Rodriguez’s love for his country and the city of Springfield is “greatly appreciated,” and the city and committee is “proud” to honor and recognize him as the 2023 Veteran of the Year.
Rodriguez was presented with a plaque for his “continued, outstanding service” and “patriotic dedication” to his community and country.
Rodriguez recalled recently receiving a call from Sarno’s Communications Director Bill Baker saying, “You need to come to City Hall and get here before the mayor.”
“When you get called into the Mayor’s Office there’s no gray area … It’s either good or bad,” Rodriguez said.
Although his 15-minute drive to City Hall was a long and nerve-wracking one, Rodriguez shared that it all went away when Sarno told him he was nominated for this award.
“I told the mayor, ‘It’s not about Al Rodriguez … This is about the veterans,’” he said.
He continued, “I am humbled, honored and forever grateful to have this opportunity.”
Rodriguez shared a statement with everyone about the soldier — his interpretation of something he read.
“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier that salutes the flag, serves under the flag and whose coffin is carried by the flag, who gives the protesters the right to burn the flag.”
Rodriguez said he loves his veterans and was looking forward to seeing them at the parade on Nov. 11.
He went on to thank the committee, Sarno, the Veterans’ Services Department and his family that attended the ceremony.
Next, Sarno presented Luna with a mayoral citation to honor and acknowledge him for his years of service. He also made note of the life saving measures that Luna took to save a baby boy after performing CPR in December 2021.
Luna thanked all the veterans that came before him, all his mentors, fellow officers and partners. “They are the reason that I got to where I got. They are the ones that I want to be better for,” he said.
Sarno said it is because of “you veterans” — referencing the ones in the room and beyond — that “America is still the greatest country in the world … The home of democracy, beacon of strength, hope and opportunity, because of what the veterans have done and continue to do.”