Community Corner
Memorial Day At San Bruno's Golden Gate Cemetery - 2019-05-27
"Never to be Forgotten" was the theme of the 78th annual Memorial Day observance at the San Bruno Golden Gate National Cemetery
Article Source: David Nigel
Photos by San Bruno CA Councilman Marty Medina
Memorial Day Observance at San Bruno’s Golden Gate National Cemetery
Monday, May 27, 2019
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“Never to be Forgotten”
was the theme of the 78th annual Memorial Day observance at the San Bruno Golden Gate National Cemetery; an agency of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A “Musical prelude” of up-beat songs commenced the morning’s ceremonies featuring The San Andreas Brass Band; an organization that has been participating in this annual event for several years.
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At 11:00 am sharp, Kathy McCall, Cemetery Director, greeted the more than 1,200 folks in attendance and described a brief history of the Cemetery including burials of Civil War Veterans. Director McCall told the audience that 113,000 grave site monuments with a total of 143,828 including cremations rest on land that occupies 161 acres. Many famous heroes including Admiral Nimitz and Admiral Raymond Spruance are buried on this sacred land.
When teaching at Allen School, this writer (David Nigel) vividly remembers the death and burial of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz in February 1966 when approximately 100 propeller fighter planes flew over the San Bruno Library on a path towards the cemetery.
Photo Above: Peter Cleaveland
Peter Cleaveland, well known former newscaster at radio station KNBC (KNBR) and also at KGO served as Master of Ceremonies, efficiently guiding the proceedings in a smooth manner; this is an honor he has held for many years. Peter is a graduate of Burlingame High School.
Bag Piper, Lynne Miller, played three beautifully inspirational songs.
San Bruno’s Police Department Color Guard was very smart and impressive in posting the colors, as were three San Bruno Firefighters, all military veterans, who ledge the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
ABOVE: San Bruno CA Mayor Rico . Medina
San Bruno Mayor Rico Medina, Police Chief Ed Barberini, Fire Chief Dave Cresta, and other dignitaries were acknowledged as were members of The Avenue of Flags Organizing Committee and a long list of Clubs and Organizations.
ABOVE: Councilman Marty Medina, Jeannette, and their son, Max
Keynote speakers feature two profoundly outstanding speakers: Admiral James O.Ellis, USN a retired 4-star admiral and former Commander, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He was President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations until May 2012 and serves on the board of directors of Lockheed Martin. The other speaker was Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cleveland Valrey, U.S, Army (retired); inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame for his distinguished military career which began at age sixteen (16) in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Both presentations were beautifully delivered and emotionally moving!
ABOVE: Flags dominated by flag being flown at top of San Bruno Fire Department Ladder Truck
Music presentations were impeccable. Very famous soprano, Hope Briggs who drew a rave review from Opera News for her San Francisco Opera debut sang an inspirational, beautiful rendition of our “National Anthem” and later on in the program “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” At the conclusion of festivities, Ms. Briggs led the assembly in singing “God Bless America.”
A local celebrity, Jimmy Fontillas, sang “Danny Boy” and “America the Beautiful.”
San Mateo County Poet Laureate, Aileen Casinetto, read her powerfully written poem entitled: “Dear Soldier.”
U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain, 1st Lt. Jay Sapaen Watan of San Mateo Episcopal Church gave the Invocation and Benediction along with inspirational words.
Ceremonies concluded at 12:20 pm with Closing remarks by Peter Cleaveland.
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Robert Riechel
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Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Councilman Marty Medina
Source Credit: David Nigel
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