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Pleasanton’s Memorial Day event is scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon today at the Pioneer Cemetery, 5780 Sunol Blvd. and will include patriotic speeches and a 21-gun salute.
Although the event is expected to attract hundreds of participants, the city of Pleasanton has decided to prohibit parking inside the cemetery grounds during this year’s ceremony. Officials also ruled against allowing parking along Sunol Boulevard due to safety concerns regarding pedestrians and normal 45 mph. traffic on that stretch of the street.
Parking inside the cemetery gates will be restricted to those vehicles with handicap plates or placards displayed.
However, the city agreed to provide a free shuttle service beginning at 10 a.m. from the Pleasanton Senior Center parking lot,
Doug Miller, post commander of the VFW post, said the parking restriction imposed by the city is due to recent construction at the cemetery and another event being held by St. Augustine Catholic Church on the church-owned portion of the cemetery.
He advised the public to arrive early to allow time to board the shuttles and travel to the cemetery.
Some limited parking is available on Sunol Boulevard beyond the cemetery in front of the Pleasanton Weekly and in several private lots including the Pleasanton Weekly’s, Berlager Geotechnical Consultants and Cor-O-Van, Miller said.
The free shuttle return route will take place at the conclusion of the event.
Immediately after the hour-long observance, the VFW Ambrose D. Regalia Post 6298 will provide a free lunch of sandwiches and chips at the Veterans Hall, 301 Main St.
Saturday, the VFW placed American flags on the graves of all military veterans buried at Pioneer Cemetery.
By Dolores Fox Ciardelli
For those interested in Supporting or keeping up with the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery. Join the Newly Formed Group on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_155818907812802#!/home.php?sk=group_155818907812802 Description: “This Group was Created in Support of Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery – Preserving Heritage & History in Pleasanton, CA. The Cemetery was adopted by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton as 1 of its many Community Service Projects. Also supported by many other Orgainizations: ALVHS, VFW, DAR, BSA and many Individuals. With a Special Thanks to the original Pioneers moving the City of Pleasanton to adopt the Cemetery: The original 7 members: Howard Neely 1st chairman, Chris Beratlis 2nd chairman, Frank Capilla, Joe Cook, Bill Hirst, John Innis, Jim Wright Additional members: Pete Bailey, Jack Bras, Harold Ceizler, Vic Lund, and Gary Schwaegerle. The untold story: The Original 7 secured the Cemetery in Contract, ponied up $50,000. as well as the legal work to establish a 501c3 non-profit in order to preserve this asset a jewel in The Community of Pleasanton. “