Bay Area remembers the fallen at Memorial Day events
MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Bay Area residents remembered the brave American men and women in uniform who were killed in the line of duty at observances and ceremonies across the region on Monday
In Walnut Creek, people gathered to hear the words of a veteran who lost his life while serving in Vietnam. They were delivered via letters that Marine Lance Corporal Kenneth Hirst wrote to his family here in the Bay Area in the months before he was killed in an enemy ambush in 1967.
VIDEO: Letters by Vietnam veteran read in Walnut Creek
A somber tribute was held in San Francisco's Presidio, where veterans gathered to remember their fallen brothers and sisters in arms.
"It's a very sad day in many ways," said Graham Dez-Verneen, who served in both World War II and Korea. "But it's a day of testimony to those who gave the most they could for this country."
American flags were placed at veterans' graves over the weekend by boy scouts and girl scouts. Monday's ceremony also featured a flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard.
VIDEO: Somber Memorial Day tribute held in SF
Veterans also gathered at Saint Anthony's Dining Room in San Francisco, where they received a free meal and also a place to catch up and swap stories.
"It's off the hook, I love it here," said Navy veteran Benjamin Wynn. "St. Anthony's is the only place i really come to because of the volunteers. It's like a different world here.
VIDEO: SF's St. Anthony's serves thousands of veterans on Memorial Day
In Mill Valley, the smell of sausage and eggs filled the city's downtown streets as Memorial Day events began with the traditional firefighters' pancake breakfast.
People lined the streets in lawn chairs while waving American flags. Thousands took part in the annual Mill Valley tradition to honor those men and women who died protecting others.
"We've got five guys flipping pancakes, we have three cooking sausages, another three scrambling eggs," said John Thompson.
The longtime volunteer firefighter says donations help the department and are used to maintain the aging 1924 engine. He says they expect to serve 2,000 meals.
READ MORE: The true reason why we celebrate Memorial Day
"We're also proving that in a disaster or emergency where we had to feed a lot of people we could pull it off," Thompson said.
Mill Valley resident Rachel Courtney comes every year. She says it's an opportunity to teach her kids about sacrifices made by their own relatives.
VIDEO: What Really Matters: A Moment of Gratitude
"My great uncle was Henry Courtney and he was a Purple Heart earner in World War I," she said. "We always think about him. It's a big thing in our family."
After getting a bite to eat, the crowd lined the city streets for the annual parade. The theme this year -- Mill Valley Salutes Memorial Day.
"It's just a wonderful day to be in Mill Valley," said parade organizer Larry Lautzker. "I mean, you really get to celebrate a way of life that wouldn't be possible if not for, I say, the veterans."
The parade marched a mile and a half through town and ended at the high school. They will also lowered a flag to half-staff as a way to honor those who died while protecting our country.
Another Memorial Day tradition is the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. During that ceremony Monday, President Barack Obama laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns.
Later, he spoke about the sacrifice so many Americans have made for their country. The president says he is honored to spend the day with the loved ones of those brave men and women.
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