1. Veterans’ Day Memorial and Flag Retirement Ceremony November 11, 2009 Fernandez Park, Pinole, CA

2. Veterans from VFW Post 2798 in Pinole and others came from all over the county

3. The fallen soldier memorial reminded people why they were there

4. St. Joseph School students and the Pinole Valley High School Marching Band participated

5. Jeff Rubin, of the Pinole Historical Society and the Pinole Community Services Commission, was the emcee

6. The Pinole Police Explorers Color Guard presented the colors

7. West Contra Costa Girl Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance

8. Scouts saluted during the Pledge of Allegiance

9. Mayor Pro Tem Debbie Long spoke on behalf of the Pinole City Council

10. Pinole Youth Commissioners read poems honoring veterans

11. VFW Commander Carl Petersdorf spoke on behalf of all veterans

12. Pinole Historical Society Vice President George Vincent and his wife, Christie, rang a bell to honor each of Pinole’s war dead

13. Ginger Hohm sang Amazing Grace

14. Jack Meehan spoke about the constitution and our freedoms

15. Pinole Youth Commissioners read poems honoring the United States flag

16. Boy Scout Troop 86 Troop Guide Daniel Marieiro conducted the flag retirement ceremony

17. Spectator John Schilt relaxed during the ceremony

18. Boy Scouts retired three flags at a time

19. A final salute for the flag

20. Bugler Garrett Dibble played taps for all of the retired flags

21. Nineteen flags were retired

22. The last flag had 48 stars

23. It was a very large flag

24. The entire troop carried it to its final resting place

25. The fiery cauldron in which the flags were retired

26. Pinole Historical Society President Marcia Kalapus made the closing remarks

27. Pinole Community TV Cable Access Coordinator Dave Snell and his crew did a great job televising the live event.

28. THANK YOU TO: Pinole Historical Society City of Pinole Pinole Police Department Explorers Pinole Community Television Pinole Youth Commission Pinole Valley High School Marching Band Ginger Hohm St. Joseph School VFW Post 2798 of Pinole Boy Scout Troop 86 of Pinole West Contra Costa Girl Scouts