Description

On May 25^th, 2026, at Stockmen’s Park (29 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA) in collaboration with the City of Livermore, Livermore Valley Post 7265 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our Auxiliary will host a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. The program will start shortly before 11am with the playing of Bagpipes by Deputy Steve Kidwell of the Alameda County Sheriffs Department. The ceremony will begin with the presentation of our Nations Colors by Scouting America Troop 924 and a live performance of our national anthem by VFW Post 7265 Auxiliary President Jenna Collinsworth.
John Dubois, Commander of VFW Post 7265, will serve as the Master of Ceremony for the program. Organizations participating in the commemoration by placing wreaths in honor of our fallen comrades include Blue Star Moms, Daughters of the American Revolution, Native Daughters of the Golden West, and Las Positas Veterans First Organization. The event will feature a guest speaker from Camp Parks, as well as remarks from Sheila Fagliono representing the Livermore Stockmen’s Association and John Marchand, Mayor of the City of Livermore. This year, marking the 250th anniversary of our Nation, Commander Dubois will deliver a special tribute recognizing those who made the ultimate sacrifice 250 years ago, enabling us to continue living freely in our country today.
The origins of what we know today as Memorial Day can trace its roots back to the American Civil War of early the 1860’s. General John A Logan was one of the most successful Union army political generals of the war. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives before the war between the states broke out and returned to a life of politics after the war. On March 3^rd, 1868, General Logan issued General Order No.11. It is though this order that originally dedicated the 30^th of May each year as a day to honor our fallen comrades with flowers decorating the graves of all who died in defense of their country during the Civil War. Each Year Livermore Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7265 honors General Logans order with a tribute honoring General Order No.11 and the origins of Memorial Day as we know it today.
Since 2023, Livermore Veterans have organized the Bell Honors ceremony to commemorate their fallen comrades. Bells have historically signified the passing of individuals and underscored the solemnity of such events. The ceremony involves tolling the bell seven times, with seven seconds of silence between each toll. Each toll represents a specific stage in a veteran’s life, and each stage conveys its own particular meaning. Following the Bells of Honor will be live performance of God Bless America by Auxiliary President Collinsworth.
The Remembrance ceremony will conclude with a recitation of the names of members of our Veteran community who have passed away during the past year. Following this, a three-round volley will be executed by the combined honor guard from the Livermore Police Department and VFW Post 7265, under the command of Bob Rochin. The ceremony will close with Amazing Grace performed on bagpipes and the sounding of Taps.
Amos Productions is recording the event, which will be accessible for streaming on both the VFW Post 7265 website and YouTube page.
The Livermore Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a Buddy Poppy fundraising event at Walmart in Livermore on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., during Memorial Day weekend.