Franco said it’s about recognizing all the stages of military service; young recruits, active military, veterans, retired and those who have passed away.  

As the commander of the Veterans Affiliated Council Board of Directors, he’s clear about being a civilian who has never served but wants to give back. 

“Both my grandfathers and great-grandfathers served,” he said. “I’m a Navy brat and was born in Balboa Navel Hospital. My mother was an American migrant farm worker working different crops from Texas to California. When she joined the U.S. military, she had nothing but the shirt on her back. The military gave her structure, a community and a family. She’s very successful and has done a wonderful job.” Today his mother is an engineer with a home in a nice, Sacramento County suburb.

His point was, “If you truly put your best foot forward and do for your country, there’s a lot your country will do for you.”

Veteran Jim Faulkinbury planted flags with his daughter Kara and grandson Isaac. He served in the Air Force in the Middle East. He also works with the Sons of the American Revolution and the American Legion. Isaac, a Boy Scout, told me what he thinks about his grandad: “He’s pretty impressive. I think it’s cool that he tracked satellites like Apollo 14. And he was on the site where Sputnik was tracked.” The family celebrates Memorial Day each year and ends it with a family dinner. 

Nearby, Marisa Salisbury, who is a leader for Boy Scout Troop 53, and her son Charles were working hard too. Salisbury said Charles has been in Scouts since he was in fourth grade, when he was two feet shorter. Now he towers over his mother. She said, “I think it’s wonderful to remember these people and what they did to protect us. I want Charles to have that kind of valor and be brave.” 

Franco explained, for those interested in a miliary career, Scouts is an excellent path.  Typically, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are in the top 1% who get accepted to military academies like West Point. And those who make Eagle Scout are looked at even more closely. Why? Franco said, “Because it shows a strong commitment to their community. They know how to work together and follow a chain of command.” These are skills that are very attractive to military recruiters. 

And as Franco’s family has learned, the benefits of a military career can lead to further success in civilian life, as well. He believes the military is a great option for underprivileged kids since it offers structure and opportunity. 

Walk with Me and the Veterans Affiliated Council also put veteran needs in front of politicians and legislators with events like the recent Los Angeles Congressional Veteran Forum. 

Franco said, “We work to hold our legislators accountable, so they follow through with what they promised us. Putting veterans in the forefront of this is the key.” 

Anyone who’s aware of the current state of veterans’ support and benefits understands how vital this is. 

Memorial Day weekend is only the recent effort. Walk with Me supports military appreciation throughout the year such as Veteran’s Day, 9/11, the 4th of July and Armed Forces Day. And they support efforts all over the state of California. 

As the young Scouts and their families continued to plant flags and prepare for the weekend festivities, I noticed the planting is a ceremony itself. Reading the gravesites of soldiers and considering what they did for their country is a valuable reflective moment.

William Franco explained, “This makes it more tangible, instead of just the preverbal bumper sticker ‘We honor our veterans.’ We ask, okay, well how? By doing what? Paying your taxes? This is the true piece where you get to feel it, eat it, breathe it. Being able to see the youth work with veterans and honor our fallen heroes really warms my heart.”