Marin County veterans saluted at annual observance

Marin County leaders honored military veterans past and present on Tuesday with an eye toward the future.

Speaking at the annual Veterans Day ceremony in San Rafael, Sean Stephens, Marin County’s veterans service officer, said the average age of veterans’ organization members is rising. He encouraged younger veterans to join the few veterans’ organizations in the county.

“If veterans are going to remain relevant, effective and strong, we must adapt to meet them where they are,” Stephens said about young vets.

Several hundred people attended the ceremony at Marin Center Exhibit Hall. The veterans’ organizations in Marin include a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, three American Legion posts and the Marin County United Veterans Council.

Jackie Tribolet, commander of American Legion Post 313 in Larkspur, spoke about her 97-year-old organization’s community service work.

“We’re getting older,” she told the audience. “Some people might argue we’re already there, but we are getting to an age where we might have to pass the baton, and there’s nobody waiting to grab it. If we lose this post or any post, it’s a tragedy.”

“No one else will understand your experience in uniform like a veteran — not your spouse, not your doctor, not your therapist,” said Douglas Sekishiro, commander of VFW Post 7816 in Novato.

Outside the building, Nick Minton was helping to continue the tradition of his grandfather, Joe Garbarino Jr., who regularly offered his collection of vintage military vehicles to Veterans Day events, Independence Day parades and other occasions. Garbarino, the former owner of Marin Sanitary Service, died in December at age 91.

“Today, we’re doing it for the veterans and keeping this thing going so people can see the history,” said Minton, who drove a 1940s patrol car.

VFW Post 7816 distributed fabric poppies to attendees to wear for Veterans Day. Post members also had another engagement Tuesday: to join a dedication ceremony in Sausalito to replace a VFW plaque that was stolen from the city’s war memorial.

“They know we are the last post in Marin County,” said Kenny Fellows, an Army veteran who is the post’s membership chair.

Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli presented a U.S. flag to Gloria Violin in honor of her husband Don Violin, who died last month. Susan Larson, the widow of Hal Larson, and Arlene Springstead, the widow of Allen Springstead, also received flags in memory of their husbands.

Don Violin was 14 when he enlisted in the Army. His mother claimed he was 17, Gloria Violin said. He served for nine years, including service in the Korean War.

Violin said her husband was heavily involved with local veterans “all over the place,” whether at VFW Post 7816 activities or American Legion breakfasts.

“I’m sure he’s here today,” she said, looking at the crowd in the Exhibit Hall. “He’s right here.”