The Sonoma Valley community will gather at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park for the 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day Observance, presented by the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park Association. The location address is: 126 First Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476 (Adjacent to the Sonoma Veterans Building).

This year’s Guest of Honor and keynote speaker will be retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Harry “Bucky” Peterson, a Sonoma resident and distinguished 33-year Marine Corps veteran whose service included combat and leadership assignments in Vietnam, the Middle East, Somalia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During his military career, Colonel Peterson commanded units ranging from rifle platoons in Vietnam to an entire Marine Infantry Regiment. Following his retirement in 1999, he returned to active duty after the September 11 attacks to help oversee Marine operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, and three Combat Action Ribbons.

The ceremony will include the traditional Grand March of Veterans, with all veterans encouraged to arrive by 10:30 a.m., as seating is limited. Additional program highlights will include patriotic performances by the Sonoma Hometown Band under the direction of Therese Pasquale Hill; Color Guard presentations by both the United States Marine Corps and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard; and a Rifle Salute presented by local veterans’ organizations.

Musical tributes will feature the National Anthem performed by Miss Sonoma County 2026 Addison Carver, “God Bless America” sung by vocalist Cathy Slack, and ceremonial selections by bagpiper John Noonan and bugler Therese Pasquale Hill. Korean War veteran Olyn Hicks will present a Memorial Day poem, while regional pageant titleholders will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Additional participants will include Sonoma Mayor Ron Wellander, who will deliver an official proclamation; Vietnam veteran Gene Campagna, who will offer the invocation; and Reverend Peadar A. Dalton, who will deliver the benediction. The ceremony will also feature a civilian aerial flyover provided by the Sonoma Sky Park Aviators.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies will be Carl “Chip” H. Allen, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and former U.S. Navy Polaris submarine officer.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests are invited to attend the complimentary “All-American Picnic” hosted by the three Sonoma Rotary Clubs and the Native Daughters of the Golden West at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building.

Guests will also have an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing Star of Honor pledge drive, which supports the preservation of Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park and its black marble Star of Honor Fountain — a lasting tribute inspired by the late World War II Navy veteran James “Jim” L. Parks.

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