Downieville Honors Veterans with Parade, Luncheon, and a Moving Speech by Don Yegge.
- Gary Herbert
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
On an unusually warm November morning, the town of Downieville once again came together to honor those who have served our nation. The annual Veterans Day parade and luncheon brought residents, visitors, and veterans to Main Street for a day of reflection, gratitude, and community.
Hosted by the Sierra County Veterans Committee, the event began at the Downieville bell tower, where participants gathered to remember fallen service members and celebrate the enduring spirit of service. The ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance and the ringing of the bell for veterans who passed this year, Dan Farrington, Scott McDermid, and Jack Marshall, each remembered with heartfelt silence and respect, and then other veterans were honored afterwards.
Local organizer Sonya Z. Meline led the ceremonies and performed the national anthem. The parade then made its way down Main Street to the Downieville Community Hall, where veterans were treated to a complimentary lunch provided by Boomtown Lounge and The Backyard. The menu of soup, lasagna, salad, and pumpkin cheesecake was well received.
Honoring Local Veteran and Advocate: Don Yegge
A proud 1964 graduate of Downieville High School, Don Yegge joined the U.S. Navy in 1965 and trained at the former Naval Training Center in San Diego. He went on to serve as a Gunner’s Mate during two tours of duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Frank Knox (DDR 742) Destroyer from 1967 to 1969, and was honorably discharged later that year.
After returning home, Don continued his lifelong commitment to service through his work with Sierra County, first as a deputy sheriff and later as a youth counselor with Health and Human Services. Over the years, he developed computer skills that helped him assist local veterans in enrolling in the VA Health System.
Though not an official Veteran Service Officer, Don became known throughout the community as a trusted Veterans Advocate, connecting veterans with the right resources and representatives from surrounding counties. His humility and persistence have helped countless veterans access benefits and support they might not have known were available.
“I don’t know everything there is to know about the VA or CalVet,” Don says, “but I often know who does.”
And this year, when Sierra County’s official Veterans Service Officer was unable to attend, Don once again stepped in to make sure our veterans were supported and heard.
A Voice for All Veterans
In his heartfelt speech at the luncheon, Don reminded everyone that being an advocate doesn’t require a title or a business card, only a willingness to help.
“When I came to Sierra County, I was told we didn’t have a Veterans Service Officer. So I printed my own business cards that said Veterans Advocate,” Don began. “I told the Board of Supervisors, I can’t be a rep, but anybody can be an advocate. Every one of you who has received help, shared advice, or guided another veteran, you’re an advocate too.”
He went on to share moving stories about veterans who struggled to access care, often thinking they didn’t deserve it or wouldn’t qualify.
“So many veterans tell me, ‘I did my time. I’m done with the government.’ But that’s not how it works. If they could afford to take you into service, then they can afford to take care of your health.”
Don urged all veterans, especially younger ones to reach out to Sierra County’s Veterans Service Officer, Carey Russell, and to apply for the benefits they’ve earned, whether for hearing loss, Agent Orange exposure, or other service-related conditions.
“Flood his office with calls,” he said. “Even if you don’t have a claim, go talk to him. You might open a door that helps someone else down the line.”
Between his humor and humility, Don also shared stories that reminded listeners why no veteran’s role is insignificant.
“I once knew a man who said all he did was pack parachutes,” Don said. “I told him, ‘If it hadn’t been for guys like you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.’”
He spoke, too, about heroes, not just those who carried weapons, but those who carried courage.
“To me, a hero is someone who goes into battle knowing full well they can’t defend themselves, like the nurses and corpsmen who ran onto battlefields with nothing but a medicine bag. They were there to save others. That’s what heroism is.”
Don concluded with a poignant story about Myron McCellan, a Downieville native who joined the service in 1966 and was killed in action just months later.
“He’s the only veteran from this side of Sierra County that we know of who was killed in Vietnam,” Don said. “If you visit the Loyalton Cemetery, you’ll find his grave, it’s the only one with a big flag flying over it. I think he’d be honored to know that you came by to see him.”
As Don wrapped up his speech, the hall filled with applause, gratitude, and a few tears, a moment that captured the essence of what Downieville stands for: community, remembrance, and unity.
A Grateful Community
Events like these remind us that Downieville’s strength lies not only in its natural beauty but in its people, those who serve, those who support, and those who remember.
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Veterans Day celebration possible: the Sierra County Veterans Committee, Boomtown Lounge and The Backyard for the lunch, and the many community members who came together to honor our local heroes.
A huge, heartfelt thank you from the veterans goes out to the Downieville School! Your amazing contribution, the hands poster, and all the thoughtful letters, truly touched our hearts and made the day even more special.
And thank you, especially, to Don Yegge, whose dedication continues to inspire us all.
“You don’t need a title to make a difference,” Don said. “You just need to care.”
The Sierra County Veterans Committee wanted to thank the following:
The Downieville Volunteer Fire Department! We are incredibly grateful for your dedication. You do such an incredible job every year, including shutting down the street and acting as a vital presence to keep our veterans safe during the event. We especially appreciate you bringing one of your beautiful fire trucks to serve as a backdrop. Your tireless, often thankless work, done by dedicated community members who care deeply for our veterans, is a truly warm and wonderful act of service.
Another heartfelt thank-you to the Downieville Fire Auxiliary for their continued dedication in maintaining the Community Hall, a true gathering place for our town. And special thanks to Jason Stubblefield for his tireless work behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. The Downieville community and Sierra County veterans deeply appreciate all you do.
We would also like to thank The Mountain Messenger for permission to use images from their feature article, “Downieville Honors Veterans with Parade and Luncheon”.
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