BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — This Veteran’s Day will be the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

As we honor the service and sacrifice of World War II veterans, it’s always important to make sure that they are never forgotten.

One organization is doing just that by locating the remaining World War II vets throughout the nation to properly honor them for their service.

The Veteran’s Last Patrol host Honor Ceremonies for World War II veterans and they need the community’s help locating World War II vets that are still alive here in Kern County.

“We’re reaching out in this program right now for this ceremony into the proud state of California, the state with the most World War II veterans, and it’s about 7,700,” said Veteran’s Last Patrol Honor Ceremonies Project Director, Barney Diamos.

Veteran Last Patrol’s team are determined to locate and honor World War II veterans, just as America celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

“A lot of them were 16,17, 18 years old,” said Diamos. “The lines went around the block at all the recruiting stations. I mean, that’s the kind of integrity these guys have. They were kids, and they left their farms and their wives and their girlfriends and their farms and kids, and they went to protect our freedom.”

One being Diamos’ father, a Marine Stretcher Bearer, who inspired his son to research and recognize veterans who never received their medals.

“When he passed away, I started looking up a few guys in his unit, and I started hearing that most of them never got their service medals,” said Diamos. “So, that’s kind of become a passion of mine, that I researched their units, their campaign, and what they did there.”

Diamos partners with Veteran groups around the nation, including American Legion, Post 26 here in Bakersfield.

“This is something very rare,” said Marine Veteran and current American Legion, Post 26 Commander, Peter Jaramillo. “We need to be able to enjoy those stories that they have to be told, because once they’re gone, those stories are gone with them until they’re being told, and they can be passed on from generation to generation.”

According to Veteran’s Last Patrol, it’s reported that 7,700 World War II veterans are still alive in California. Diamos and Marine Veteran Jaramillo need the community’s help locating the ones in Kern County so they can be properly honored.

“I put together and build these shadow boxes, metal cases, and we do a ceremony for them and bring all their family and friends, and I just want them to be recognized for helping save the world from two of the most evil empires in history,” said Diamos.

“We have our Veterans Day Parade,” said Jaramillo. They’ll be coming very soon, and we’re trying to honor these veterans that have been in World War II and put them in our parade. And it’s very difficult. It’s always been very difficult, and to be able to find them and to be able to put them in the parade and have them being honored by the people that are here in Bakersfield, which in Bakersfield, California, they do so well on honoring their veterans is a great accomplishment in itself.”

Kern County’s Veteran’s Day Parade will be on Tuesday, November 11th. If you know of any World War II veterans, please contact Veterans Last Patrol at veteranlastpatrol.org.