Before Memorial Day grilling began, Bay Area residents took pause to honor service members who died while serving in the military.
At The Grove in Clayton, today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and military members. Colonel Michael Hudson, United States Marine Corps (Ret.) presented a wreath to Blue Star Mom Mary Tollefson, of Clayton. Tollefson’s son U.S. Army Pvt. Benjamin Tollefson, of Concord, was killed in action in Iraq on December 31, 2008.
Hudson also read the names of 56 soldiers who lived in Contra Costa County and died while serving in Vietnam and post 9/11 wars.
Pearl Harbor Survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler, 100, was in attendance, and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier spoke to the crowd.
Cadet Audrina Carter, with the Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary of Concord, placed dog tags with the names of soldiers who have died during military service before placing them on the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross.
Across the bay in Hillsborough, a parade set off from Town Hall, followed by a music festival at the North School Field, and concluded with an observance ceremony.
The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868.
Audience members stand during the playing of the national anthem during a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Banks, 4, of San Francisco and his friend, Louisa, 3, of Burlingame, both last names wished to remain undisclosed, have their photos taken with police cut outs during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Cadet Audrina Carter with the Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary of Concord salutes the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross during a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Christine Krolik, Mayor of Hillsborough, speaks to the crowd during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the military salute during the raising of the U.S. flag to the half-staff position during a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Cheerleaders march during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
People gather near a gazebo to attend a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Marcelo Rodriguez, 3, of Las Vegas, waves from a car while visiting family in Hillsborough during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Pearl Harbor Survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler, 100 years old, salutes during the presentation of the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A 1960 Italian car called an Autobianchi Bianchina drives in a parade during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Colonel Michael Hudson, United States Marine Corps (Ret.) reads the names of 56 soldiers who lived in Contra Costa County who have died while serving in Vietnam and post 9/11 during a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
San Mateo High School color guard tosses flags during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, center, listens to a speaker while attending a Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton, Calif., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Today’s ceremony was attended by over 150 citizens and members of the military to honor the men and women who died while serving in military service. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A girl wears flags in her hair during the Annual Hillsborough Memorial Day Event in Hillsborough, Calif., Monday, May 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
