Memorial Day Remembrance at Oak Hill Park

On Monday morning, several hundred members of the community gathered at for the largest traditional observance in the East Bay.

This annual event was significant because 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The keynote speaker of this year's Memorial Day remembrance was Richard Burress, a Marine Corps veteran of World War II who served as a lieutenant on Iwo Jima. He described the feeling of knowing that many of the men he fought with never would return home.

"I, for one, made a pledge that I would remember them, I would honor them and I would do what I could to carry on for them," Burress said. "Right then and there I pledged that I would be a leader. And I think that's the way everyone feels who's served."

Among those in attendance were many local veterans and their relatives, including Danville resident Mary Tuttle, who is proud to have several family members who have served in U.S. wars. The audience included two Gold Star families (those whose loved one has lost his or her life in a war) and several Blue Star Moms (mothers of those serving in the military).

The ceremony was sponsored by the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley, the All Wars Memorial Foundation and the Town of Danville.

"Memorial Day is to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said Jerry Yahiro, president of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley. "It's important that we remember those who gave their lives in service."

Oak Hill Park was chosen as the setting because it is the site of the All Wars Memorial, which the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley constructed with the help of the nonprofit All Wars Memorial Foundation on land donated by the Town of Danville.

"We felt that not enough recognition was given to Vietnam veterans," said David Behring, former president of the All Wars Memorial Foundation. "They had very little respect. They had friends who had served, been killed or gone missing in action and their families had to suffer at home, but nobody talked about it."

The Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley worked with sculptor Don Rich, also a Vietnam veteran, to design the memorial.

The memorial includes a path paved with dedications to veterans, lined by sculpted murals that depict a history of U.S. wars. The path leads to a circular area called the "healing circle," with a U.S. flag and granite stones engraved with quotations about sacrifice for one's country.

"We wanted to design something that could convey what this country means, what this country is for, and pass it on to younger generations," Behring said.

Danville Mayor Karen Stepper emphasized the importance of passing wisdom on to younger generations. She encouraged all of the veterans in attendance to find a way to record their stories so the community could learn from them.

"The beat of our community is the beat of a heart moving together in memory," Stepper said, expressing a deep gratitude toward those who gave their lives for our freedom.