The Veterans Day celebratory activities began this year in Bakersfield at the 7th annual Salute to Our Local Heroes event.

The event took place on Nov. 7 at the Kern County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and served as a tribute to the local men and women who served and are currently serving in every branch of the U.S. military. Veterans entered the event for free, and other guests paid $10 upon entrance.

There were various representatives from local veteran services and organizations present at the event to answer questions and to provide resources, including Bakersfield College’s own Veterans Club and Veterans Services.

BC Veterans Club president and US Army veteran Benjamin Lindquist said, “Mainly we want to make sure that we can reach out to veterans who haven’t thought about using their educational benefits. Even if they don’t want to use them, their children can use them.”

Lindquist went on to talk about veteran priority registration. Because of the club’s booth at the event, a woman found out she was able to use her disabled husband’s educational benefits to go to school.

Nursing major Vicky Frias, 25, said, “I thought it was pretty cool. At BC it’s really hard to get into classes, and last year I just couldn’t do it because I have a family, and I have to take care of my husband, so it’s kind of hard. When I found out I get priority registration, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders because I found out I’m able to get the online classes that I need.”

Many were at the event to gain information about resources available. Others were there to honor brotherhood and comradery.

Army veteran Alex Duraz, 26, was at the event representing the Vet Center work-study program.

“When I first got back, I was isolated. I was drinking, and I had a brother reach out to me. He got me linked up with the Vet Center’s work study program and it’s great. I’m going to the University of Phoenix…I’m here trying to get involved and stay involved and be around a bunch of brothers. When I’m down, they’ll pick me up. That’s what we do for each other; we’re all in that brotherhood. We speak the same language, and we’re there for each other,” said Duraz. It was his first year at the Salute to Our Heroes event, and he said it would not be his last.

There was a group of veterans who were honored at the event for the commemorative 53-mile hike. The hike was done in honor of local soldiers who have died in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bakersfield College student, Veterans Club member, and US Navy veteran David Dullum carried a backpack full of dog tags that represent each of those fallen soldiers throughout the hike. The group of men were given a standing ovation by those present at the event’s auditorium.

Salute to Our Heroes’ committee president Wendy Porter said about the event, “We’re here to say thank you to all of our veterans and active duty, and to allow the public to say thank you as well. This is our biggest turnout ever.”