Remembering on Memorial Day

Follow the American flags on Stone Valley Road to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Oak Hill Park on Monday.

“The main reason for the event is to celebrate Memorial Day and remember our fallen veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country,” said Skip George of the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley, which hosts the event.

“We are going to have the Blue Star Singing Moms at 10:30 for about 30 minutes, then the ceremony will start, approximately at 11,” said George.

Veterans will be recognized from each branch of the service and from each of the wars.

“We will ask them to stand up,” said George. “When those from World War II stand up, that’s getting fewer and fewer.”

Residents of the Veterans Home in Livermore are bused in, and they are also recognized. The color guard will be veterans.

“We are also going to have ‘Gen. George Patton’ there and several flyovers,” George said. “And we will probably have mayors from Danville and San Ramon.”

The guest speaker will be Brigadier General Nick Tooliatos, Commander, 5th Brigade 75th Division, Camp Parks. Speakers in the past have been newscaster Dennis Richmond and officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

There will also be a band, and a trumpeter will play taps.

The observance will be held next to the lake where a canopy and chairs will be put up for comfort, said George, and afterward a short ceremony will take place at the All Wars Memorial overlooking the park.

“Now all the memorials along the site are there for the different engagements in different wars,” said George.

The All Wars Memorial walkway is paved with bricks inscribed in honor of loved ones – both veterans and others with associations such as Blue Star Moms – and more are still available.

“The ceremony will be over in an hour; we try to keep it moving,” said George. “It’s been very well attended in the past.”

HONORING THE FALLEN

What: Memorial Day Ceremony

Who: Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley

Where: Oak Hill Park in Danville

Parking: Monte Vista High School parking lot

When: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Monday, May 26

Information on ceremony and All Wars Memorial pavers: www.vnvdv.com