– Patriot Guard Riders –
VFW, American Legion, DAV, MCL, PGR and other vets
welcoming home Army PFC Jason A. Evans.
Oakland Airport & Castro Valley, CA.
19 December 2009.
– American Legion Post 649 Christmas 2009 Party –
VFW and American Legion members and their
families attending the “pot luck” Christmas party.
Veterans Hall, San Leandro, CA.
18 December 2009.
– Holiday Donations to the National Guard –
VFW, American Legion and Moose Lodge members
presenting U.S. colors and giving donations to
National Guard families for the Holidays.
Moose Lodge, Castro Valley, CA.
13 December 2009.
– National Guard Christmas 2009 Party –
VFW and American Legion members Michael Emerson
and Tony Lindsey attending the party and telling the
soldiers about VFW and American Legion programs.
Co 340th BSB, San Lorenzo, CA.
5 December 2009.
– Fall 2009 Operation MOMs Packing –
VFW, American Legion and other Veteran Volunteers
and Families packing up “care packages” for the troops.
Hayward Veterans Hall in downtown Hayward, CA.
28 November 2009.
– Oakland Raiders Military Appreciation Day –
VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, DAV
Marine Reserves, National Guard, Star Families,
Operation MOMs, SVO, PGR and other Veterans groups
participating in the Raiders Military Appreciation Day.
Raiders vs. Chiefs at the Oakland Coliseum.
Oakland, California.
15 November 2009.
– Moose Military Appreciation Day –
VFW, American Legion and other Veterans
groups and also citizens participating in the
Moose Lodge Appreciation Ceremonies.
Castro Valley, California.
14 November 2009.
– Marine Corps Reserves BBQ –
VFW, Marine Corps League, American Legion,
DAV, and PGR member Michael L. Emerson
and PGR & WWR members participating in the
Alameda USMC Reserves Family BBQ.
Alameda, California.
12 November 2009.
– Veterans Day Ceremony in Hayward –
VFW & American Legion and other veterans
groups and also citizens participating in the
Veterans Day Ceremonies at the
Veterans Hall in Hayward, California.
11 November 2009.
– VFW Dinner to Honor WWII POW –
VFW Post #9601 awards dinner for Don Rairdon
a WWII Army Veteran POW
Moose Lodge, Castro Valley, California.
10 November 2009.
– Fall 2009 Buddy Poppies –
VFW Post 9601 members doing Buddy Poppies
to collect donations for Veterans.
Castro Valley, California
8 Nov 2009.
– Veterans Day Parade in Pleasanton, CA –
Castro Valley VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard
participating in the 2009 Veterans Day
Parade in Pleasanton, California
1 November 2009.
– Castro Valley Library Grand Opening / Dedication –
Honor Guard from VFW Post #9601, Castro Valley
raising the flag at the NEW Library.
Castro Valley, California
31 October 2009.
– VFW 2009 Livermore VA Hospital BBQ –
VFW members from many different Posts and Districts
from Northern California volunteering to buy, donate,
cook, and serve food for Veterans living/staying at the
Livermore, California VA Hospital.
24 October 2009.
– 2009 Operation MOMs Charity Dinner –
VFW members and other volunteers making food and helping to
serve during a Spaghetti Dinner Charity Event at the
Hayward Veterans Hall in downtown Hayward, CA.
17 October 2009.
– 2009 VFW Community Service Awards –
VFW Post #9601 awards dinner for outstanding
individual service to the community. Award winners were:
Paramedic Brian Sheehan, Fire Battalion Chief John Walsh,
Deputy Ronaldo “EJ” Eijansantos, and Deputy Derek Pope.
Moose Lodge, Castro Valley, California.
13 October 2009.
– Fleet Week 2009 –
Pictures of VFW members and other Vet Groups on the
USS Green Bay (LPD 20) which was commissioned in Jan 2009.
We were invited by Vice Admiral Hunt, Commander of the US Third Fleet.
Pier 30/32 San Francisco, California.
12 October 2009.
– Memorial Service for Angelo Giustino –
VFW & American Legion Honor Guard at Lone Tree Cemetery
serving as the Honor Guard for Army veteran Angelo Giustino.
Hayward, CA. 7 October 2009.
– 4H County Meeting –
Pictures of VFW & American Legion Color/Honor
Guard members presenting the colors at the
4H meeting in Castro Valley, California.
2 October 2009.
– 2009 Wheelchair Regatta –
The Wheelchair Regatta at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda, California.
Pictures of VFW members, volunteers and attendees.
Special thanks to “Goniego IV” owners Joan Marsh-Clune
and Richard Hardy for a fun ride in the SF Bay.
26 September 2009.
– 2009 Castro Valley Fall Festival –
VFW Post #9601 members,
American Legion Post #649 members
and Operation MOMs members at the
Castro Valley Fall Festival.
13 Sept 2009.
– 2009 Oakland Athletics Game –
The VFW Honor Guard at the Oakland A’s Game.
We had a free tailgate party in the parking lot prior to the game.
For VFW and American Legion members and their families.
The A’s vs. the Tigers (A’s won 3-2).
22 Aug 2009.
– 2009 VFW National Convention –
VFW Post 9601 member Michael L. Emerson is a
Delegate and Representative at the Convention.
Michael meet many VFW and other dignitaries including:
PRESIDENT OBAMA
2009-2010 National Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell,
2008-2009 National Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner,
2009-2010 Calif State/Dept Commander Jack Turner,
2009-2010 National Senior Vice Commander Richard Eubank,
Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office Bob Wallace,
Astronauts Buzz Aldrin & Scott Carpenter, Actress Connie Stevens,
Major General Whelden, & General Hayden.
Phoenix, Arizona. 15 to 20 Aug 2009.
– 2009 Moose Lodge Replacement of Flag Ceremony –
VFW Post 9601 donating and replacing the
U.S. Flag at the Castro Valley Moose Lodge.
Castro Valley, California. 11Aug 2009.
– 2009 National Guard’s Annual BBQ –
VFW member Michael L. Emerson and his family
attending the National Guard’s annual BBQ at Kennedy
Park in Hayward, CA to show their support for
A Company, #340CSB from San Lorenzo, CA.
Hayward, California. 1 Aug 2009.
– USAF SSgt Sean Pellaton Returning Home –
VFW, American Legion, PGR, WWR, Gold/Blue Star Parents,
Operation MOM, the Boy Scouts and several other veterans
support organization members welcoming Sean home.
Castro Valley, 11 July 2009.
– DAV Annual BBQ July 2009 –
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) members at their
2009 Annual BBQ at the Coast Guard Base in Alameda, CA.
VFW members Michael L. Emerson and Mickey Ganitch
attended and they are also life members of the DAV.
Alameda, CA. 11 July 2009.
– 2009 Ken Ballard Memorial BBQ –
VFW, American Legion, Patriot Guard, and other family and
friends at Gold Star parent Tom Ballard’s annual memorial
party for his son and Army soldier Ken who was KIA in Iraq.
Hayward, California. 4 July 2009.
– Renaming of Veterans Memorial Park, Union City, CA –
VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard, Recruiters from the
different Military Services, Mayor & Counsel members
of Union City, Mayor of Hayward, and other dignitaries
participating in the Park’s renaming.
Union City, CA. 4 July 2009.
– Allen F. Strutz Memorial Funeral Service –
VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard, American Legion Honor
Guard, Patriot Guard Riders, with family and friends of
Allen at Lone Tree Cemetery. Hayward Hills, CA.
2 July 2009.
– Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Richard A. Pittman –
VFW member Michael L. Emerson attending a Veterans
get together and BBQ at Marine, Vietnam Veteran and
Medal of Honor recipient Richard A. Pittman’s home.
There were about 50 VFW, American Legion, Gold&Blue Star families,
Patriot Guard Riders, and also American Legion Riders there.
Stockton, CA. 28 June 2009.
– 2009 Michael Balsley’s Birthday BBQ –
VFW, American Legion, Patriot Guard, and other family and friends at
Gold Star parents Jim and Bev’s annual birthday remembrance party
for their son and Army soldier Michael who was KIA in Iraq.
Hayward, California. 27 June 2009.
– Dr. Francis Johnson Remembrance Ceremony –
Captain Johnson was a Navy doctor for 30 years and also
Dr. Johnson was with Eden Medical Center for 35+ years.
VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard Memorial Ceremony
at Eden Medical Center, Castro Valley, CA.
26 June 2009.
– Flight 93 Memorial Day Service –
VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard Changing the Colors and
Rifle Honor Guard at the Flight 93 Memorial, Union City, CA.
25 May 2009.
– 2009 Memorial Day Service –
VFW Post 9601 Honor-Color Guard Posting Colors and Shooting Rifles,
Post member Michael L. Emerson giving a speech
Lone Tree Cemetery, Hayward Hills, CA.
25 May 2009.
– VFW & American Legion Members at 2009 SVO BBQ –
VFW & American Legion Members supporting the
Student Veterans Organization (SVO) at
Calif State University East Bay, Hayward, CA.
16 May 2009.
– VFW Post 9601 Officers Installation & VOD award –
VFW Officers Installation & VOD speech award
to Marissa Cuevas of Castro Valley, CA.
12 May 2009.
– 2009 Castro Valley Rowell Ranch Parade –
Honor Guard and other members and family of VFW Post # 9601 of Castro Valley, CA.
participating in the Rowell Ranch Parade in Downtown Castro Valley, CA.
9 May 2009.
– VFW Member with the Patriot Guard Riders –
USAF SSgt Sean Pellaton of Castro Valley was escorted
to the Oakland Airport by the Patriot Guard Riders and
VFW Post #9601 member Michael L. Emerson.
26 April 2009.
– Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce Mixer –
VFW Post #9601 Honor Guard at the Rowell Ranch
Rodeo site – Posting the Colors. Hayward, CA.
16 April 2009.
– Phil Brant Remembrance Ceremony –
VFW Post #9601 & The VFW Honor Guard with family
and friends during a ceremony honoring Phil Brant.
At the Moose Lodge, Castro Valley, CA.
14 April 2009.
– VFW Post Awards –
14th District Commander Raymond Wong and VFW Post 9601 Commander
Pat Flanagan giving out awards to VFW Members and Supporters.
At the Moose Lodge, Castro Valley, CA.
14 April 2009.
– 100 Birthday Celebration for Al Lucke –
VFW Post #9601 & American Legion Post #649 members and friends honoring fellow member
Colonel Al Lucke and celebrating his 100th birthday (14 Jan 2009).
Presbyterian Church, Castro Valley, CA.
18 January 2009.