DANVILLE, CA – A joint proclamation was signed on February 25, 2022, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville, to light the beacon on Mount Diablo to honor veterans on Pearl Harbor Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day from sunset to sunrise, beginning in 2022 and every year thereafter.
Local officials and leaders of various military and public service groups lent their names and support to the proclamation, including:
• Kathleen Farley, President, Pearl Harbor Survivors Sons and Daughters Chapter 5
• Mark Heinemann, Commander Mount Diablo American Legion Post 246
• Eduardo Guaracha, Superintendent, Diablo Range District, California State Parks
• Mark DeSaulnier United States Congressman
• Steve Glazer California Senator
• Rebecca Bauer-Kahan California Assembly Member
• Candace Andersen, Contra Costa Supervisor
• Karen Stepper, Town of Danville Council Member/Honorary Member Pearl Harbor Survivors
• Ted Clement, Executive Director, Save Mount Diablo
• John Gallagher, Board Member, Save Mount Diablo
• Alan Kalin COL, USA (Ret.) Mount Diablo Beacon Initiative Coordinator American Legion Mount Diablo Post 246.
Various veteran organizations also lent their endorsement for this initiative, including:
• The American Legion, Department of California, District 9 in Contra Costa County which
includes eight Posts: Harding-Nola Post 161, Antioch; Roy Frerichs Post 202, Brentwood; Post
331, Concord/Pleasant Hill; Mt. Diablo Post 246, Danville; Louis Hagen Post 340, El Cerrito; Post
517, Lafayette; Henry A. McNamara Post 29, Martinez; David A. Solari Post 151, Pittsburg
• The American Legion, Mt. Diablo Post 246, Danville, Commander Mark Heinemann
• The American Legion, Department of California, District 9 (Contra Costa County) Commander
Mike Clement
• Sons & Daughters Pearl Harbor Survivors State Chair and Chapter 5, President Kathleen Farley
• Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley, Commander Dennis Giacovelli
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75, Commander Mike Regan
• Marine Corps League, Mt. Diablo Detachment 942, Commandant Ed Stevenson
• Sentinels of Freedom, Mike Conklin Chairman and CEO
• Military Officers Assn of America, Contra Costa County Chapter, President Patricia Wernet
• Blue Star Moms, Chapter 101, Contra Costa County, Co-Presidents Christine McCracken &
Stacey Nigro; Blue Star Moms, Chapter 20, Contra Costa County, President Loretta Masnada
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
• Newell Arnerich, Mayor Town of Danville
• Teresa Gerringer, Mayor City of Lafayette
• Carlyn Obringer, Council Member, District 2 City of Concord
• H. Abram Wilson, Former Mayor San Ramon
For many years I never told anyone I was a Vet. Viet Nam Vets weren’t very popular.
I’m glad to see fellow Vet’s being honored and acknowledged.
Everyone who goes to war for our Republic deserves not only the benefits promised but the respect of those who didn’t.
Those who didn’t make it back deserve to be honored even more.
Amen.
Nice to have you here.