Photos: Danville Celebrates 'Out Of This World' Veterans Day

DANVILLE, CA — It may have been a little while ago by now, but it’s never too late to marvel in an extraterrestrial Veterans Day celebration.

On Nov. 10-12, over 2,000 community members packed the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley for a number of interactive exhibits dedicated to outer space.

Exhibits included:

• A drone demonstration by the Danville Police Department
• A helicopter guests could climb aboard
• Star Wars reenactors
• Photographs and memorabilia commemorating 50 years since the Vietnam War
• College Physics and Astronomy Professor Jennifer Siders demonstrating how to make a “pocket solar system.”
• Bob Schiff, an astrophotographer who regularly submits his incredible photos to Patch, demonstrating his equipment and how he can photograph planets, comets, nebulae, and galaxies from his backyard.
• Interactive drone of “Star Wars” favorite R2D2.
• Students from local high school and Diablo Valley College robotics programs demonstrate their creations.
• Joe Martinez with American Rocketry Challenge models.
• David Nielsen with a number of space artifacts.
• Hands-on children’s activities from Quest Science Center.
• Display on women in space.
• Display on STEM Barbies.

The Veterans Day talk was hosted by James “Ox” van Hoften, a retired U.S. Navy officer, aviator, and former NASA astronaut who spent a total of 338 hours in space.

Above, enjoy some photos from the event.