Homeless veterans honored at Loaves & Fishes

Marine Corps veteran Javier Zamugio who served in Operation Desert Storm and now lives on the streets of Sacramento was among the dozens of homeless veterans honored Friday during a Veterans Day ceremony at Loaves & Fishes’ Friendship Park. Fellow Marine Don Harper with Sacramento Stand Down, a support network for homeless veterans, attached a Marine Corps flag pin on the lapel of Zamugio’s fleece jacket and thanked him for his service.

“It means the world to me,” said Zamugio. Mark Oblan, a homeless veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division known as the “Screaming Eagles,” was moved to tears as he raised his hand to salute. The event included a blessing from former Loaves & Fishes director, Sister Libby Fernandez, music by the Emerald Society Pipe Band and speakers including Congressman Ami Bera.

This story was originally published November 11, 2018 at 3:00 AM.