Photos: Memorial Day events honor fallen heroes

Throughout the Bay Area America’s fallen heroes were honored on Memorial Day. Originally know as Decoration Day the first national observance was held on May 30, 1868. Since 1970, the remembrance day is held on the last Monday of May.

“We must never forget the price that was paid to protect our democracy,” said President Joe Biden in an address at Memorial Amphitheater in Virgina after the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. “We must never forget the lives these flags, flowers and marble markers represent.”

“Every year we remember,” he said. “And every year it never gets easier.”

The Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band played at the Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home and Memorial Park’s remembrance in Hayward. Veterans, family, friends and the public were invited to mark the federal holiday with a ceremony, a barbecue with refreshments, American Flag pins and coloring books with Crayons for children.

The San Francisco Giants marked the occasion with a color guard from the US Army Nor Cal Recruiting Battalion from American Canyon and U.S. Marine Major Chun H. Park threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

At Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Vanla Chiara, of Cupertino, attached flags to an angel statue. She comes every year to attach flags in honor of her husband.

Oak Hill’s ceremony included a dove release, flyover by the 129th Air Rescue Wing, an authentic WWII reenactment with actors in period uniforms and more.