City Seeks Community's Help In Memorial Day Commemoration

WALNUT CREEK, CA — As the city of Walnut Creek prepares to host its annual Memorial Day ceremony, it is looking to community members to share stories of friends or loved ones who gave their lives for the country.

"Many of our residents have very personal connections to Memorial Day, having lost a relative or friend during a wartime," said Betsy Burkhart, spokesperson for the city of Walnut Creek. "We want to hear from you. Please share your story of someone who made an impact on you and how. It can be a family member or just someone you knew or heard about."

The ceremony is from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, May 27, at Civic Park.

The city will highlight some of the stories during its Memorial Day ceremony, with elected officials reading an assortment of narratives submitted by Walnut Creek residents.

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In addition to the readings, the Walnut Creek Concert Band will perform. The event concludes by gathering across the street from Civic Park at the Veterans Memorial for a brief closing ceremony.

The stories should be sent by email to WalnutCreekListens@walnut-creek.org. Mayor Loella Haskew will read each submission as they are received.

"It will be an honor to read those personal stories about someone who has touched the lives of our residents," Haskew said. "We are looking forward to sharing those accounts with the broader Walnut Creek community."

The names of 65 former Walnut Creek residents are on plaques outside of City Hall. Those are the names of people who lived in Walnut Creek and were killed in the line of duty, but personal stories for the upcoming ceremony can be shared regardless of where the service member lived.

"Join friends and neighbors to pay respects to those who served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice."