The city of San Marcos proclaimed retired Marine Sergeant Richard Mendez Gonzales the Parade Marshal for the Veterans Day Parade, which is a position of high honor. The Veterans Day Parade was last weekend, and Gonzales led the procession in an antique orange Chevrolet.
“The Parade Marshal for this year’s celebration is Retired Marine Sergeant, Richard Mendez Gonzales,” the proclamation stated. “Born on Sept. 17, 1941, Richard spent the early years of his childhood with his aunt and uncles picking cotton in the fields around his home. Upon graduating from San Marcos High School in 1960, he joined the military as a United States Marine. After boot camp, Richard returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Esquivel, on Dec. 29, 1961.
The proclamation discussed Gonzales’ many accomplishments during his time of service.
“As a … Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, Richard was eventually promoted to MOS, Military Occupational Specialist, as a 3071 Aviation Supplyman. He then served a year and twenty-seven days on his tour in Vietnam, as our country was at war, before achieving the rank of Sergeant,” the proclamation stated. “During his military career, he and his wife had three children: Richard, Cynthia and Sylvia. While completing his eight years in the service, he was awarded The Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, RVN Defense Medal, Vietnam Tet Campaign Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Good Conduct Service Medal, Honorable Service Ribbon, Cold War Commendation Medal and the Marine Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.”
After retirement from the military, Gonzales began working at the San Marcos Post Office.
“He began as a city carrier in 1969, and worked his way up to becoming the Supervisor, retiring with that title in January of 2000, after 32 years of service,” the proclamation stated.
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson called upon the people of San Marcos to honor our soldiers, past and present, by flying the flag of our nation and participating in the Veterans Month of Service celebration throughout November 2024.
