The family of Brock Elliott were once again in attendance at the Thursday morning Veterans Day event held in remembrance of military personnel.

Included was Charlene Carroll, who is the sister of Brock Elliott.

Her brother was a U.S. Marine Lance Corporal in the 1960s. He grew up in Manteca and was the first of 17 local servicemen killed in action during the Vietnam War.

“Brock Elliott served our country along with those brave men so that we can enjoy our freedom,” said David Silveira, who is the principal of the Manteca Unified campus named in Elliott’s honor.

The 34th annual Brock Elliott Day was held as a school-wide gathering for the second time since post-COVID 19. Silveira noted that a virtual event took the place of the live assembly during that pandemic year.

The Sierra High Army JROTC provided the presentation of the colors while Student Council President Mateo Cervantez led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Carroll, on behalf of the family, received a bouquet of white roses along with a proclamation from the offices of Congressman Josh Harder (D-Tracy).

Manteca Unified officials including Superintendent Clark Burke – a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army – and City of Manteca Vice Mayor Mike Morowit were also in attendance.

The guest speaker was George Markham, who was in the Navy aboard the supercarrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. He was proud to have served his country, following in the footsteps of his father, a World War II veteran, and his grandfather, who fought in World War I.

Brock Elliott Vice Principal Karen Olsen remembered that her father also fought in Vietnam. “It changed him,” she said.

This was an unpopular war at the time. Olsen noted her father and others involved were subject to ridicule by those opposed to war upon their return to home.

“I’m pleased that today we honor the sacrifices that they made,” she said.