Woodland Honors Veterans at Courthouse Ceremony
Community members gathered in front of the Historic Yolo County Courthouse for the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Military
Veterans were honored at the annual Veterans Day ceremony held in front of the Historic Yolo County Courthouse on Court Street in Woodland. Mareco Thomas, assistant director of the California VA Healthcare, delivered the main speech.
Why it matters
The ceremony recognizes the service of local veterans and gives Woodland residents a shared occasion to honor those who have served. Thomas's remarks reflected the continuing role of veterans within the community.
Thomas served approximately 9 years in the 82nd Airborne Division, including overseas assignments in Korea and Iraq, before being honorably discharged at the rank of major in 2017. The source does not report attendance figures for the ceremony.
The players
Mareco Thomas
Thomas is assistant director of the California VA Healthcare and a former Army major who served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Ted Hillyer
Hillyer serves as chaplain of Yolo Post 77, a local veterans organization in Woodland.
The details
The ceremony featured music from the Yolo Community Band and the Holmes Jr. High Choir, directed by Luiz Coelho. Dave Stoermer, Post 77 Sgt. At Arms, directed the raising of the POW/MIA Flag, and Arlene Sandoval, Post 77 Auxiliary president, laid a wreath recognizing those who have died.
Timeline
September 11, 2001: Terrorist attacks prompted Thomas to join the Army shortly after high school.
2017: Thomas was honorably discharged at the rank of major.
May 2026: Thomas was appointed assistant medical director for the Northern California Veterans Administration Healthcare facility.
November 11, 2026: The annual Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Yolo County Courthouse.
Military Service Continuity
Like the annual Veterans Day observances that have marked November 11 since the 1954 national designation, the Woodland ceremony continues a long-standing local tradition of honoring service members. Thomas's career, from Army enlistment after September 11 to a VA leadership role, illustrates how veterans often move from service into civilian health care.
Residents who want to honor veterans can attend future community commemorations held at the Yolo County Courthouse. Local veterans seeking health services may contact the California VA Healthcare facilities where Thomas now serves in a leadership role.
The takeaway
Community ceremonies like Woodland's Veterans Day event offer a direct way to recognize service members and connect residents with the veterans who live among them. Attending local observances is a simple step toward supporting those who have served.
Further reading
Explore more military news coverage for context on service members and veterans.
