55 years have passed since I was in Vietnam, and they say that of the 6.3 million who served “boots on the ground” in Vietnam, there are only 619,000 of us still kicking.
They don’t recognize Veterans Day in Richmond anymore. The last time the City Council adopted a Veterans Day resolution was in 2022 when I was mayor.
Veterans Day Events in Contra Costa County:
Brentwood Veterans Parade: Join the City of Brentwood for its inaugural Veterans Parade, a special event dedicated to honoring those who have served our country. The parade will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. on November 10.
Whether you are a part of a veteran organization, a veteran-owned business, or simply want to show your support for our local veterans and active military, there’s a place for you in the parade! Come be a part of this meaningful celebration. If you are not a veteran/active duty military member, veteran organization or veteran owned business, you can only participate in the “flag walk” portion of the parade. Bring your own flag and walk at the end of the parade with the rest of the community! Register at https://brentwood.info/reg-veterans-parade
Board of Supervisors to Host Veterans Day Celebration
Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will pay tribute to the Port Chicago sailors at this year’s Veterans Day celebration, recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of the sailors who stood against unsafe working conditions after the tragic 1944 Port Chicago Naval Magazine explosion in Concord.
The event will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the Board Chambers, located at 1025 Escobar St., in Martinez.
The Port Chicago explosion, which claimed the lives of more than 320 servicemen, two-thirds of whom were Black, is a significant chapter in U.S. history. Following the disaster, 50 Black sailors were charged with mutiny for refusing to return to dangerous duties. Their exoneration by U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, 80 years later, serves as a powerful reminder of the pursuit of justice.
Port Chicago Alliance Executive Director Yulie Padmore will be this year’s Keynote speaker. The event will also feature a color guard ceremony by the Pittsburg Police Department and a musical performance by Yesenia Roman who will be singing the Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. — more information
Danville: Veterans Groups Hold Open House
The Town of Danville and the service organizations of the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley will host a weekend open house to commemorate Veterans Day, as well as a ceremony event. The open house will be November 9-11, and the Veterans Day ceremony will be November 11.
All are invited to visit the Veterans Memorial Building for the Open House featuring a pop-up museum. This year the museum will feature displays on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Air Lift, astrophotography, robotics, San Ramon Valley firefighting robots, Danville Police drones, and American rockets. Admission is free and the museum will be open Saturday through Monday, November 9 through 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The UH-1 Huey Helicopter will be displayed outside the building.
Veterans, active-duty personnel and their families are invited to a complimentary Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast between 7:30 and 10 a.m. Monday, November 11 at the Veterans Memorial Building. The general community is also invited to a ceremony honoring our veterans, which will take place Monday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building Main Hall.
Lastly, the community is invited to join local veterans organizations and Danville Mayor Karen Stepper at the Veterans Memorial Building November 11 to light the Mount Diablo Beacon. At 5 p.m., the groups will gather at the flagpole in front of the building to press a remote button that will light the aviation beacon on the Mount Diablo summit. The Veterans Memorial Building will be open November 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. for visitors to view the historic photos and memorabilia inside.
Parking is available on surrounding public streets and in all downtown Municipal Parking Lots. To accommodate the large outdoor displays, parking around the Veterans Memorial Building will be limited.
The Veterans Memorial Building is located at 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. For event information, visit vmbsrv.org.
Antioch:
Delta Veterans Group is Honored to partner with the City of Antioch, the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club and other local Veteran’s Service Organizations for this year’s Veteran’s Day Ceremonies.
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