Walnut Creek Honors Veterans In Patriotic Ceremony

Walnut Creek leaders and citizens honored veterans and their spirit of comradery at a patriotic Veterans Day ceremony on Monday.

The hour-long event at the Lesher Center for the Arts was attended by more than 200 people, including about 50 veterans.

The festivities began with the ringing of 11 bells at exactly 11 a.m. to commemorate the Armistice Day treaty signing at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 that ended World War I. That event was the spark that created Veterans Day in the United States.

The Presentation of Colors was next, followed by a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by the Walnut Creek Concert Band.

The Rev. Robert Williams performed the invocation in which he asked for blessings on the nation's military personnel as well as guidance for the nation and world's leaders to prevent war and curb violence.

In her opening remarks, Mayor Cindy Silva talked about the comradery that is established between veterans, especially those serve in war zones. She said there is no experience in civilian life that matches what veterans endure.

"Those who serve in the military have a shared experience," said Silva. "Those who have served know what it is to rely on a friend."

Dr. Steve Cram, who served as both a physician and helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, talked briefly about the bonds of comradery. He presented Silva with a copy of the book "Veterans In The Mist," the memoirs of veterans who participate in Walnut Creek's Third Thursday Lunch Group.

That organization started a decade ago. It's a group of veterans who meet for lunch on the third Thursday of every month and swap stories.

A video on the group produced by Walnut Creek TV was shown. Silva also honored more than a half-dozen of those club members during Monday's ceremony, presenting each with a city proclamation.

The Concert Band also performed the Battle Hymn of the Republic and an Armed Forces Salute before the mayor delivered her closing remarks.