DANVILLE, Calif. (KRON) -- Danville is hosting a full day of events Wednesday to mark Veterans Day and honor the sacrifices of men and women who served in the military. The community is one of several Bay Area cities coming together to celebrate service members and express gratitude to local veterans and their families.
The morning commemorations kicked off with a pancake breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, a gesture of appreciation for veterans. Organizers expected about 100 people to attend the breakfast. In addition, a pop-up museum opened to the public, showcasing historic military artifacts dating back to the Civil War.
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Event displays feature a large Huey helicopter originally used for training. Known as the workhorses of the Vietnam War, the helicopter was brought to the event to give visitors an opportunity to sit inside the aircraft and get a sense of what it was like to fly one.
Danville City Council member Rene Morgan joined in serving breakfast to former military members.
“It's important to give back in our small way,” Morgan said. “That we're able to give back right now is to serve them breakfast and to show our appreciation and thank them for their service.”
Veterans attending the event highlighted how reception toward military personnel has changed since the Vietnam era, when anti-war protesters did not welcome service members home. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Darcy Kauer reflected on the emotional toll experienced by returning soldiers during that time compared to present-day observances.
“There are probably more Vietnam veterans injured by the way America treated them when they got home because of the betrayal,” Kauer said. “And I think that in today's era with the showing, more respect for veterans and their sacrifice, that that that's kind of been alleviated in some ways.”
A special Veterans Day ceremony is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. The city will also host a lighting ceremony at 4:40 p.m. before turning on the Mount Diablo Beacon around sunset, a tribute conducted on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
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