Memorial Day will be marked by commemorations across the Bay Area, including at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, which will host celebrations for veterans at both its Palo Alto and Menlo Park facilities.
Veterans in Menlo Park will participate in a ceremony from 9 a.m. to noon. Activities include a lap swim, trivia game, wreath-making, discussion of the personal meaning of Memorial Day, presentation of a wreath by the chaplain and live blues and jazz music.
In Palo Alto, the VA’s recreation-therapy team will visit with veterans in the hospice, sub-acute, poly-trauma, spinal-cord injury and other units. Veterans will be able to honor those who have served and current serve by contributing to a wreath of remembrance and participating in a discussion of the history of Memorial Day, according to a VA spokesperson.
The Menlo facility is at 795 Willow Road; the Palo Alto facility is at 3801 Miranda Ave.
In addition, the VA is releasing a video of the late Jim Cooper, a Korean War Veteran who participated in the VA’s palliative care program for six years prior to his death in 2010. Cooper was a Navy Frogman (a predecessor of the Navy Seals). He was diagnosed with advanced lung disease in 2005. In the video, Cooper recounts stories from his life, remarries his daughter Kellee’s mother and comes to terms with his death. The video follows him through his military funeral.
the jim cooper video is not available; it reads server not found. great way to honor him.