Los Banos, CA (October 28, 2025) — Local resident and U.S. Army veteran Baldo Salcido is being recognized as one of this year’s Latino Coalition of San Benito County Veteran Honorees for his outstanding service to his country and community.
Salcido, who was born in Canutillo/El Paso, Texas, moved to Hollister with his family in 1952. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Hollister High School in 1961 before studying at San Benito College and San Jose State University.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965, completing basic training at Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 with the 1st Corps Headquarters and went on to serve an impressive 20 years years in various units of the U.S. Army and California National Guard, retiring as a Staff Sergeant (E-6).
Throughout his military career, Salcido earned multiple commendations, including the Vietnam Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, California Army National Guard Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Award Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksmanship Medal. His service also included key assignments during the 1989 Oakland Cypress earthquake and the 1992 Los Angeles riots as part of the 49th Military Police Brigade.
Salcido is a proud parent of five sons — Tom, Mark, Adrian, Stephen, and Ryan Maxwell Salcido — and has ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. His wife, Cynthia Lubke, passed away in 2019.
He will be honored at the Latino Coalition Veterans Day Breakfast, hosted by the Latino Coalition of San Benito County, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Paine’s Restaurant Banquet Room, located at 421 East Street, Hollister. The event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $20 for general admission and $15 for veterans and their spouses.
The annual breakfast brings the community together to honor local veterans for their service and sacrifice, encouraging residents to “invite a veteran to breakfast” and take a moment to reflect on the freedoms secured by their courage.
This year’s celebration will also recognize fellow honoree Anthony Sotelo, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Hollister native, for his dedication to both military and community service.
Details of the veterans breakfast are listed below.
