Memorial Day success, Alameda parks coverage by the Alameda Post, the Food Bank plans its next move, and hats off to Officer Onesko
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Memorial Day ceremony a success
To the Editor:
Thank you, Alamedans! I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Memorial Day ceremony a profound and memorable event. Our community came together once again to honor the memory of our lost brothers and sisters in past wars, reflecting on their sacrifices and reaffirming our commitment to never forget their service.
From the opening presentation of the flag of our great country by active duty Marines, our ceremony was a testament to the enduring spirit of our post and the dedication of our members. We began the day in solemn prayer with the U.S. Navy Chaplain, whose words offered solace and a sense of unity as we remembered those who have given their lives for our country. His invocation set a respectful tone for the day, grounding us in the importance of our gathering.
Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft provided the welcome to all attending and offered words of thanks and honor for the sacrifices of many. We were honored to have our State Attorney General Rob Bonta join us, providing words of encouragement to support our veterans. His address reminded us of the importance of standing by those who have served and ensuring they receive the recognition and assistance they deserve. His commitment to veteran affairs resonates deeply with our mission here in the Veteran Groups of Alameda.
The symbolism of the Missing Man Table was poignantly explained by Lieutenant Colonel Bob Bezek, reminding us of the empty seats at our tables and in our hearts. This solemn ritual is a powerful reminder of those who are missing in action or held as prisoners of war, and it emphasizes our ongoing commitment to accounting for every service member.
U.S. Coast Guard Captain Lisa Schulz expressed her gratitude, highlighting the shared sense of duty and the deep respect we hold for our fallen comrades. Her words underscored the sacrifices made by those in all branches of service and the enduring bond among all who serve.
One of the most moving parts of our ceremony was the tribute to Gold Star Parents, delivered by U.S. Navy Captain Kerri Chase. Her heartfelt address acknowledged the profound loss and enduring strength of parents who have lost a child in service to our nation. It was a poignant reminder of the personal costs of war and the enduring courage of these families.
We watched with reverence as wreaths were laid in honor of our fallen heroes. Each wreath represented the collective respect and remembrance of our community. It was a powerful visual reminder of the many lives lost and the gratitude we hold for their sacrifice
We owe a special thank you to Sal Castaneda, who once again served as our Master of Ceremonies. His dedication and eloquence have been a cornerstone of our Memorial Day events, guiding us through the ceremony with the respect and solemnity it deserves. Thank you, Sal, for your unwavering support and for helping to make our ceremony so impactful.
To everyone who attended and participated, thank you for your presence and support. Your involvement is what makes our Memorial Day ceremonies so meaningful. Together, we honor the past, support each other in the present, and look forward to a future where the sacrifices of our service members are never forgotten.
The closing prayers by Captain David Stroud USN, followed by the 21 gun salute by Marine Detachment A Co. 4th Recon Bn Rifle squad to include their USN corpsman, and taps performed by Gus Wedemeyer, concluded the ceremony.
Let us continue to stand together as a community, supporting our veterans and our community at large, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for being part of this important tradition.
And to the Alameda Community Band, who show up every year to play the songs of America. They are as committed as every other volunteer to making the day one of honor and respect.
Without the assistance of all of you that pitch in and help, this would not be possible.
Thank You and God Bless.
Joe LoParo,
Chair, Memorial Day Ceremony Committee
What recent Alameda Post parks coverage has in common
To the Editor:
Thank you to the Alameda Post for the recent articles about Alameda parks. “Jean Sweeney’s Legacy” was a story about a tremendous recreational resource Alameda received thanks to the diligence of a single resident. The article about the Corica Golf Course Fire Tower design approval is welcome news for those of us who travel along Island Drive. Also last week was the Post article about the City Council’s decision to name the City’s newest park at the Northern Waterfront for Svend Svendsen.
While the stories had very different topics, the three recreation facilities have one thing in common. They all were named for Alameda residents who made a difference for our city—a mayor who spoke the truth and established many of the traditions that make Alameda special, a teacher and volunteer board member who overcame corporate barriers, and a small business owner who put Alameda on the maritime map. Chuck Corica, Jean Sweeney, and Svend Svendsen were unique and dedicated people who had little in common other than their love for this community. Through determination and drive, these Alameda residents established a lasting legacy for all of us. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to recognize one of these community resources with my vote to name the newest of Alameda parks after Svend Svendsen, and I will always make sure that those who make a difference in Alameda are recognized and celebrated.
Tracy Jensen,
Alameda City Councilmember
The Alameda Food Bank wants to know how they can best serve the community
To the Editor:
With final approval from the City of Alameda, we are one step closer to building our new facility on Alameda Point, giving us the opportunity to design it from the ground up to create the best possible experience for the people who use it. What kinds of food should we stock? What should the overall shopping experience feel like? What other services should we make available for people who have come to us primarily for food but have other needs?
We believe the best way to make these decisions is to go directly to the source—the people who come to us either regularly or occasionally for help putting food on their tables. Who knows better than them what they need and how they want to receive it?
Although I think we do a pretty good job of getting helpful feedback from people while they are using our services, we’d like to dig a bit deeper to better understand how we can best be of help. That’s why we have created a Client Advisory Board to more formally incorporate input from people who use our services into the design and functionality of the new facility. The advisory board will help us design the new facility for maximum comfort and convenience and help us continue to fine tune it once it opens. The advisors can help us identify ways in which we might unintentionally have made the shopping experience stressful or difficult. We’ll also tap their input on what kinds of food to stock since many of the people we serve have dietary needs or cultural preferences that we need to accommodate.
We also know that most people who use our services have critical needs other than food. Although the food bank may be the first place they turn, they often need help with housing, employment, medical care, and other concerns that have contributed to their food insecurity. Our new facility will have dedicated space for other community organizations that can assist in addressing these problems. The advisory board will help us determine which services are most needed and which organizations can best be of help. After we make the initial selections and open the new facility, the advisory board will provide ongoing input on how helpful these outreach services are and what others might be needed.
The advisory board will begin meeting soon and will continue to provide advice and counsel until the facility is completed around the end of next year. They will then meet on a regular but less frequent basis after the new facility is open to provide ongoing input on how we’re doing. We also hope that some advisory board members might parlay their experience to develop the skills and comfort to join our Board of Directors, where they would be able to represent the views of people like themselves who use the services.
We’re always open to new ideas, so if you have any thoughts or suggestions on how to make our new facility the best it can be, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Teale Harden,
Alameda Food Bank Executive Director
Animal Control Officer Alaina Onesko saves the day
To the Editor:
On behalf of the entire block at 1800 Alameda Avenue, we want to thank Animal Control Officer Alaina Onesko for her bravery and service on June 4, while wrangling a feisty pair of abandoned roosters that have been lost, hungry and wandering our block for days.
Not only did Officer Onesko keep her cool despite the very warm temperatures, she was caring and friendly and professional, even under the stress of getting these two unruly—and fast!—creatures safely secured. And ours was just one distress call at the start of Officer Onesko’s busy shift. How unfortunate that irresponsible, uncaring humans who just abandon animals they no longer want or need continue to make her job so challenging.
Officer Onesko deserves special recognition for all of her hard work. We really want to commend and thank her for her dedication and service and for helping the hurt, abandoned, and lost animals of Alameda.
Thanks very much,
Patti Cary and Mark Taxy,
Alameda
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