PASCO, Wash. – A 78-year-old army veteran traveled from Las Vegas to Pasco to attend a Veterans Ceremony at City View Cemetery.
Charlene Dotta served in the army for 20 years. Even though she began her journey at 30-years-old, which is later than most, she said serving for the country was an unforgettable experience and that she does not regret it.
“I got to travel with my children and I met some wonderful people and I was afraid that at first maybe I made a mistake. But as time went on, I knew I did the right thing.”
Dotta said the most important part of serving in the army was the pride she feels for her country.
Coming home after retiring proved to her that she made the right decision, she said.
“I was always proud of the military,” she said. “But after I got out of the military, seeing how proud my family was of me and how much it meant to everybody, I didn’t realize when I was in and how much it meant, and after I got out, I was really, really glad that I did what I did.”
Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano said he gives the retired flag to someone special at the Veterans Ceremony every year.
Every veteran is appreciated, and Serrano said he found Dotta through her son, Dan, who works for the city of Pasco.
“When he told me the story that she had spent 20 years in the Army and she came out just for this event, it felt like a heartwarming way to say thank you for making the trip,” he said.
Dotta said receiving the retired flag was extra meaningful because her father was also a veteran, serving in the navy during World War II and in the Korean War.
“I always felt patriotic to our country and I always supported the military and our government and things like that,” she said. “I had two boys and I wanted them to be patriotic and support the things that were right for our country. And they do.”
