American Legion Post 204 is honoring deceased veteran Raymond Apodaca by flying a special flag in his honor at Veterans Park in downtown Seminole. The flag began flying Sept. 1 and will fly the entire month.

Apodaca and his wife Margie (Jaeger) Apodaca died tragically on Thursday June 25, 2015 when the float plane carrying them and seven others crashed while sightseeing the mountainous wilderness around Ella Lake, near Ketchikan, Alaska. Ray and Margie were married on June 26, 1999 in Yreka, California. They were avid travelers and adventurous souls.

Apodaca was a native San Franciscan, born to Raymond Apodaca, Sr. and Lucia G. Apodaca. He was the eldest of nine siblings. At age 18, he enlisted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict.

Ray was a decorated soldier, receiving his Purple Heart and the following commendations: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service, and Global War on Terrorism Service. His qualifications include Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Airborne Wings. He retired from the 579th Combat Engineer Battalion, 40th Infantry Division, CA Army National Guard. Ray reactivated his military service with the California National Guard during the Iraqi War eventually retiring as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer - SFC Raymond Apodaca (RET) California Army National Guard in 2005.

Apodaca’s civil service also encompassed being a Police Officer, working for San Francisco and several Northern CA community forces and the U.S. Postal Service retiring following service with the Sparks, NV Post Office. Ray was an avid outdoorsman, he especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sailing. He also, truly enjoyed story-telling and teaching. While a police officer in Rio Dell, California, he taught criminology courses at the College of the Redwoods.

While living in Yreka, Apodaca was an award winning country western dancer who went on to become an instructor of many types of dance. He was a member of the Disabled American Vets, the VFW, and was active with the Purple Hearts Association. He is survived by his mother Lucia Apodaca, three children: Jamia Apodaca Carter (David), Jason Apodaca (Kristi), and Rachel Apodaca Horn.

The local American Legion Post, under the command of Carl Odom, honors a different veteran each month by flying a flag in their honor. Veterans Park is located on Main Street next to the Municipal Building.