Looking for Rosie the Riveter Looking for Rosie the Riveter (July 02, 2004)

Parade to feature veterans of shipping yards

Although it's not yet the 4th of July, plans are being made for the Veteran's Day Parade in November. Organizers of the Tri-Valley parade, which marches down Main Street in Pleasanton, are looking for women who worked in shipyards, freeing the men to fight World War II.

Bernice Poli, one of the parade organizers, said the Rosies will not have to march in the parade but will get to ride in comfort. She said the grand marshal of the parade this year will also be a woman.

"We find women who were in the service, no problem," said Poli. "But we want the women who worked in the shipyards."

Anyone who was a Rosie the Riveter, or who knows of one, is asked to telephone Gloria Stahlnecker of the VFW Auxiliary at 846-5453.

"We are so excited to honor those women that worked in the defense industry to help the U.S. win the war," said Dave Ham, a Marine veteran who is this year's parade coordinator. "Their recognition is long overdue. I spoke recently with Marian Sousa, head of the Northern California Rosie the Riveter Organization, and was pleased with the information she was able to refer me to on the Web."

The parade will begin at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7, in front of the Veterans Memorial Building, go north on Main Street, east at Spring, then south on First Street to end at Lions Wayside Park for an official ceremony. The Pleasanton Community Band will play, and there will be speakers. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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