story
Jay Flachsbarth
s of their loved ones in Tri-Valley Veterans Day parade on Main Street last Sunday.
ands remember our veterans Post 6298 and American Legion Post 237 — urge everyone to fly the flag on Wednesday. This year’s theme was a tribute to the U.S. Marines, known as “The Devil Dogs.” Leading the parade as grand marshal was Marine Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, who received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor for risking his life to disrupt an enemy attack on his unit in Vietnam, saving the lives of many of his wounded comrades. The parade featured nearly 100 units, including military, veterans and police color guards. Most impressive and drawing loud applause as they passed by were Marine recruiters from Fremont, under the direction of Gunnery Sergeant Felton Williams, who posed
Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11 motionless on a float in a re-enactment of the raising of the flag over Iwo Jima in World War II. A sculptor of the famous flag-raising stands in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. Speakers at the ceremony following the parade included Doug Miller, commander of the VFW’s Pleasanton post; Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), Alameda
County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, Mayor Jennifer Hosterman of Pleasanton and Vice Mayor John Marchand of Livermore. Patriotic music was provided by the Pleasanton Community Concert Band under the direction of Bob Williams with soloist Marzena Jones singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and the Singing Blue Star Moms singing songs made popular during WWII by the Andrew Sisters. In honoring Medal of Honor recipient Richard Pittman, American Legion post commander Joe Stieber talked about the 64-year-old former Marine’s action in Vietnam in 1966 that earned him national recognition. “While his company was conducting an operation along the axis of a narrow jungle trail,”
Stieber said, the leading troops came under heavy enemy fire suffering many casualties. Sgt. Pittman quickly exchanged his rifle for a machine gun and rushed forward to aid his comrades. He was suddenly confronted with a bold frontal attack by 30 to 40 enemy and, totally disregarding his safety, calmly established position in the middle of the trail and raked the advancing enemy with devastating machinegun fire.” “Sgt. Pittman’s daring initiative, bold fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty inflicted many enemy casualties, disrupted enemy attack and saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades,” Stieber said in reading from the Medal of Honor citation. n Pleasanton Weekly • November 6, 2009 • Page 17