Celebrating Veteran's Day in Danville

Today marks the 88th year the nation has paused to recognize and commemorate those who have and currently do serve in the armed forces. Veterans Day began as an annual celebration for the end of World War I, but Congress later made it a federal holiday recognizing those who serve. And KTVU's Jesse Gary is in Danville right now. That city's observance will kick off in just a little while. Jesse, good morning. Dave, Andre, good morning to you. And, yes, we're here outside the Veterans Memorial, which has a flag up, you can see, behind me. It's got bunting on the front of it, all ready for today's festivities. As we await a very special piece of military hardware, we'll talk about that in just a little bit. But things kick off here at 7.30. They go all throughout the day. Let's go ahead and take a look at our video. As I said, 7.30 is when we start with a pancake breakfast for veterans and their family. That's going to happen on the second floor of the memorial. That's hosted by the Danville Town Council and lasts until 10 o'clock. Starting at 9 o'clock, the main hall will have displays honoring the 250th anniversary of the country, the U.S. Army, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy. Unique items will be on display from the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. A UH-1 Huey helicopter will be on display outside the hall on Harts Avenue at East Prospect Avenue. That's where we're waiting for them to truck in just a little bit. And at 11 o'clock this morning, the Veterans Day observance will take place inside the hall with veterans and guests, including the Monte Vista High School Choir. Well, I think it's important for all veterans and I think our message every day is to say thank you for your service, but honor them by acting out our lives in a respectful way, to honor their sacrifices, to honor their service, and I think that's what we can do more. And that is Danville Mayor Newell Arminich, as he spoke this morning. He's inside right now getting things ready for that pancake breakfast we mentioned. And things wrap up today at 4.40 this afternoon here at the flagpole behind me with the Veterans Day beacon lighting at 4:40. At the flagpole, it's not behind me, the flagpole's just off to my left, I apologize. But whether you're here or anywhere else, down in San Jose, for example, parade through downtown, that starts at noon. Whether you're there, here, anywhere, remember to shake a hand of a veteran and say thank you for your service. We're live in Danville this morning, Jesse Gary, KTVU Fox 2 News. Gentlemen, back to you in Oakland. All right, Jesse, thank you so much, appreciate it.