The Stonyford Museum celebrated its 10th anniversary in conjunction with the opening of a temporary expanded military display, with numerous artifacts and photographs on loan from local families.
The celebration, held to honor Stonyford area veterans – past and present – included a short program and lunch at the Stonyford Community Hall, which included a honor guard and a three-volley salute by members of Maxwell American Legion Post No. 218 and Colusa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2441.
Museum Director Penne Arbanasin, through tears, read George L. Sypeck’s poem “Soldier,” which had been read at the memorial for her late father, Cpt. Herbert James Schumacher, who served in Korea and Vietnam in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The temporary exhibit includes photographs, including one of Schumacher with Major General Oliver W. Lewis, and many awards and medals, including those of the late Daryl Bond, who served aboard the USS Minneapolis or “Minnie,” one of the most highly decorated ships in World War II, and actively engaged in the Marshalls and Gilberts after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Tassafaronga.
The display also includes multiple casket flags, including William, John Applegate’s, uncle of Museum Director Jeff Applegate, and photographs, including those of new Stonyford resident Jill Legge-Crisosto, retired, who received the Army Achievement Medal and Humanitarian Award.
Legge-Crisosto, daughter of Brigadier General William John Legge, moved to Stonyford three years ago and said the tribute to veterans at the Stonyford Museum was wonderful.
“It’s really nice because I never really put much effort into thinking about ‘we did so much as veterans,’” Crisosto said. “Now, I’m thinking, ‘yeah, we did something good.”
The Stonyford Museum has both temporary and permanent exhibits dedicated to Stonyford’s service members, including the late Ralph Jensen, who was shot down during World War II and taken prisoner by the Germans; Gary McVey, who received two purple hearts and two bronze stars for his service in Vietnam; and the two young men killed in action in World War II.
Herbert Calcaterra, son of Gladys Stites, received the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry during battle. While aboard the USS Pompano (submarine) in battle on Sept. 4, 1942, Calcaterra remained at his gun from an exposed site, until he was fatally wounded.
Calcaterra was 22-years-old when he died and was buried at sea. While the Pompano was later lost in enemy waters in the Pacific, killing all 76 men aboard, the U.S. destroyer Calcaterra, commissioned on Nov. 17, 1943, was named in the Stonyford man’s honor and served the U.S. Navy until 1973.
Joseph Martinez, son of Joe Martinez of Stonyford, was killed April 23, 1945, while operating a machine gun in battle in service with the 6th Marine Division in Okinawa.
“Little Joe,” as he was known, enlisted before graduating from Maxwell High School, and was posthumously awarded his diploma when he died at age 18, in addition to his service medals.
“We are proud of all our veterans,” said Museum Historian Joyce Bond, widow of Daryl Bond, of Stonyford.
While the Stonyford Museum has a wonderful veterans display, Arbanasin said there is no better way to honor the service of veterans than to preserve the history of all veterans for future generations.
“We need to preserve their stories,” Arbanasin said. “They are why we are free today.”
Sunday’s veterans ceremony also included a violin duet by Stonyford Youth Club members, Ari and Aven Nercessian.
The Stonyford Museum is open the second Sunday of each month, during the winter, from 1-4 PM or by appointment by calling (530) 570-5591 or (530) 963-3141. Admission is free, but donations and memberships are accepted and appreciated. ■