In a showing of gratitude for those who have served in the nation’s armed forces, hundreds of residents lined both sides of West Main Street in downtown Merced on Tuesday to celebrate the 2025 Veterans Day Parade.
This year’s parade was themed in recognition of U.S. Army Air Corps. Brig. Gen. Frederick W. Castle, the namesake of the former Castle Air Force Base in Atwater.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Castle remained at the controls of his B-17 Flying Fortress, allowing his crewmembers to parachute from the plane, after it had come under attack while leading a strike against German airfields during the Battle of the Bulge in Dec. 1944.
Castle was killed after the plane crashed, but his ultimate sacrifice and selflessness saved his crew.
This year’s ceremony had many poignant moments, particularly when a special recognition was given to the late Ken Henn, who was a senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Henn, who died earlier this year, was posthumously honored as a grand marshal at Tuesday’s parade.
According to the Merced Sun-Star archives, Henn served for 22 years and worked as a medic, followed by a career at the Merced County Jail and Juvenile Hall, where he worked for 21 years. Henn also was known to volunteer for a variety of community causes, and was well liked by those who knew him.
Henn’s wife Roseleen and their grandson Patrick Kutcher were on hand Tuesday to receive the special recognition in his honor. Edward Skelton, Merced County veterans service officer, fought back tears when talking about Henn.
“I had invited Ken to be on the committee this year. And he seemed really excited to be doing it,” Skelton said. “But we lost him…In hindsight, I wish I had just nominated him to be a grand marshal. He was very deserving of that honor. And the county will be lessened by his passing.”
Melvin E. Levey, who served as a captain in the U.S. Army, was also recognized as a grand marshal Tuesday. Today, Levey serves as the registrar of voters for Merced County. A graduate of West Point, Levey led soldiers in combat across three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning three Bronze Stars.
Roger Wood, who served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was also recognized as a parade grand marshal. Many locals know Wood as the host of Community Conversations on KYOS.
This year’s Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award went to Connie Owens, who was a master sergeant during her Air Force service. “Her compassion and dedication embody the very best of what it means to serve,” said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who presented Owens with the award.
According to the Calvet Connect website, Owens regularly volunteers to assist unhoused veterans and families in need of assistance. She’s also an active member of Merced’s Gold Star Mothers.
This year’s keynote speaker was County Executive Officer Mark Hendrickson, a veteran of the Air Force who served during the Gulf War. Hendrickson said his military deployment shaped his sense of duty “not just to country, but to community.”
“As the son of a veteran, the father of a currently serving son, and someone who has served myself, I am also deeply supportive of the next generation. Today’s young men and women carry same commitment to duty that built our nation,” Hendrickson said.
