Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing well. I would like to send a huge “Thank You” to our veterans, each and every one of you. At the All American Bash in Oakdale on June 27, I had the great pleasure of visiting with many of you. I was touched watching the reactions of our veterans as our National Anthem was sung. Many of you placed your hands to your heart … some of you raised your hands to the sky; I couldn’t help but watch as quiet memories from the past seemed to flood across your minds. It was a special evening in Oakdale. Every veteran deserves to be highlighted on the front page.

Our country and each one of us owes a debt we can never repay to our veterans. It’s because of these brave men and women that we were able to gather on Saturday evening, June 27 at Dorada Park. Freedom is not free … God bless our great country and God bless our great veterans. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a special evening. I would also like to offer thanks to Noel Haggard, who came to California to share some time with and thank our veterans, and to Gregor and Greg Ross who came up from Bakersfield to visit with and thank our veterans as well. We had the most special moment with our veterans looking on as our very own Willy Tea signed a guitar that young cancer warrior Jett Trunnell so proudly received during the evening. Jett’s smile lit up the entire area as Willy Tea, Noel, Gregor and his son Greg took turns signing Jett’s guitar. Our night was made more special with our County Supervisor Buck Condit and his wife Kim, Lieutenant Brock Condit and his daughter Averie, proud veteran Dan Vigil displaying our great nation’s flag, our amazing Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts coming to thank our veterans and present the colors, also sharing a special visit with 100-year-old World War Two veteran Jim Adams and his wife Joni at their table. A special shout out to Vietnam veteran Don Jaramello and his wife Barb; Don was a very young man when he went to Vietnam … he stood bravely in that open door as a gunner on a Huey helicopter. He was shot while taking on enemy fire. He would receive the Purple Heart … he and Barb made a special trip to Oakdale to be with us at the All American Bash.

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In this week’s column I share the feelings of a recent Oakdale High School graduate as he prepared to leave home and head to basic training for the United States Air Force.

This young man was a standout football player and an amazing wrestler for Oakdale High School. I am proud to pay tribute to Wes Burford, who reported to Basic Training on June 24, 2026.

The words that follow are his thoughts as he prepared to leave home, leave his family and friends and report for basic training.

From Wes Burford:

“Going into the Air Force Academy, I am nervous. For the first 5 1/2 weeks, I will not be able to call my family or friends, which is a little nerve-racking.

However, I will be going through this with other students just like myself. I will build long lasting friendships that will help me push through and come out stronger in the end. This will help me become the best version of myself, it will be challenging, but I will push through.

Something that will always stick with me is that I have a town supporting me all the way through it. It has been an absolute pleasure being able to perform and represent the great town of Oakdale.

There’s really nothing like this place, and wherever I end up, I know I will be coming back to raise my family in this amazing place.

I want to thank Oakdale for all the love and support, it is a true honor to be able to serve and protect my country and represent Oakdale.

I am excited for the next chapter. It will be challenging, but it will be fun. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, no matter where I go, Oakdale will always be home. Thank you.”

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Community notes:

Wednesday July 8, Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meeting at 6:30pm in the school gym; all welcome.

Thursday, July 9, Fire Board Meeting at 10am at the Community Hall in Knights Ferry; all welcome.

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As always, you may reach me by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by text or telephone at 209-985-5233. Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”