This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Napa Honors War Dead on Veterans Day

A solemn ceremony at 11 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park honors those who have fallen in our country's service.

A color guard, dignitaries' speeches, patriotic songs and chaplains' prayes are all part of this morning's planned Veterans Day observances in downtown Napa's Veterans Memorial Park, organizers said.

The Napa United Veterans Council presents its annual Veterans Day tribute at 11 a.m., said Clark Brandt, sergeant at arms of Napa's American Legion Post 113.

Longtime United Veterans chair Tom Sarchiapone said 10 singers from the Napa High School chorus will be on hand to sing the national anthem and "God Bless America."

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Speakers will include Napa Mayor Jill Techel, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and 2012 Napa High graduate Alyssa DiBenedetti, whose senior project resulted in a park memorial honoring Napa County service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Along with ceremonies honoring veterans and prisoners of war, there will be a reading of the poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Canadian lieutenant John McCrae, who served as a doctor in World War I:

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow 
Between the crosses row on row, 
That mark our place; and in the sky 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly 
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago 
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved and were loved, and now we lie 
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 
To you from failing hands we throw 
The torch; be yours to hold it high. 
If ye break faith with us who die 
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 
In Flanders fields.

(source: Arlington National Cemetery)

A lunch at the VFW Hall 

Stay Patched in: Follow Napa Valley Patch on Twitter | Like Napa Valley Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?