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“Sept. 11, 2001 changed the whole existence of the United States, our way of life,” Penny Redmon, co-founder of military support group Operation SAM, said. “It instilled a renewed patriotism in our country. The people who gave their lives on Sept. 11 justifies people remembering.”
Operation SAM, which sends comfort packages to deployed service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, has put on an event on each anniversary. This year, marking the seventh anniversary, they wanted to do something a little different for Patriot Day. Called “Honoring our Heroes,” they joined with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7265 to honor veterans of all wars, those deployed and are about to be deployed, as well as public service agencies that serve and protect the lives of American citizens.
The groups will gather at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Livermore Veterans’ Memorial Hall and hear from three special guests. Ken Wayne, a weekend news anchor for KTVU, will act as the master of ceremonies. A naval veteran, he was also a correspondent from Ground Zero as the events unfolded.
Retired Maj. James Allen Taylor is the guest of honor. He is one of 104 living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, which he earned serving in the Vietnam War. Thursday evening he will share his experiences.
“He is a hometown hero,” Redmon said.
Coming all the way from Ohio is the “Mystery Marine from Ground Zero,” former Sgt. Jason Thomas of the U.S. Marine Corps. Of the 4,000 people caught in the rubble there were said to be only 12 survivors. Thomas and another Marine saved two Port Authority officials.
“So many of us here on the West Coast didn’t experience the tragedy firsthand,” Redmon said. “We thought that [Thomas’ story] might be a perspective people could connect to, to be in the presence of someone who was there and did a feat beyond the call of duty.”
Another “hometown boy” is flying in from Ft. Hood in Texas, where he is currently stationed.
“We have invited veterans of all conflicts to come and display their colors and be proud,” Redmon said.
Admission is free and the event open to the public, There will be a flag ceremony and videos of local heroes shown. Held at the Livermore Veterans’ Memorial Hall, located at 5th and L streets in Livermore, doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentations will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as seating is limited.
To learn more about the Sept. 11 Patriots Day Remembrance or Operation SAM, visit www.operationsam.org or call 443-7620.
Pleasanton’s military organizations
Yellow ribbons on Main Street: Miller is also the contact for anyone wanting a yellow ribbon placed on Main Street light poles. Each streamer has a name that represents a local person in the military.
