The Bay Area commemorates Memorial Day with several events across the region, including the lighting of the beacon atop Mount Diablo.
What is Remembrance Day?
It was originally called Decoration Day and was held on May 30. The memorial event was held after the Civil War to decorate the graves of those who died in the war.
After World War I, Decoration Day was expanded to include soldiers who died in all American wars. It was then declared a national holiday in 1971 and became known as Memorial Day. Another day was chosen so that it would take place on the last Monday in May.
Events in the Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will hold its annual Memorial Day commemoration at 10:30 a.m. at San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio.
NORTH BAY
The Vallejo Navy League and National Cemetery Administration will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell and Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson will be in attendance.
Marin County United Veterans Council will hold their annual Memorial Day event at 9 a.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium at the Marin County Fairgrounds. Patriotic songs will be played and memorial wreaths will be laid.
At 10 a.m., Rohnert Park and American Legion will hold a Memorial Day event at the Rohnert Park Community Center.
Mill Valley will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade at 10:30 a.m.:
- 7:00 a.m. – Annual Mill Valley Volunteer Firefighters Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, fundraiser at City Hall.
- 9:45 AM – Pre-parade ceremony
- 10.30am – Start of the parade at Lytton Square
EAST BAY
The USS Hornet will hold its ceremony at 11 a.m. and include a speaker. Vice Admiral Michael S. Baker of the United States Navy. There will be a wreath laying ceremony, a memorial squadron flyover and a sale of used military history books.
San Ramon will hold a Memorial Day program that will include music, remarks from city officials and veterans groups, and a memorial field with flags. The event will take place at San Ramon Memorial Park.
Walnut Creek will hold their annual tribute at 11 a.m. There will be a procession to the Veterans Memorial outside City Hall.
Pleasanton will hold its celebration at 11 a.m., with a concert at 10:30 a.m., at the Pleasanton Senior Center in Centennial Park.
There will be two events in Danville. Diablo Valley Vietnam veterans will hold their annual Memorial Day commemoration at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Park, All Wars Memorial.
At 8 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 will lead a rally at the Veterans Memorial building. Danville Mayor Karen Stepper will press a remote control button to light the aviation beacon at the Mount Diablo summit. The building will be open to visitors at 7 p.m.
