Mission Impact:

Gathering, Remembering, Carrying Stories Forward

As summer gives way to fall, the days eventually bring cooler temperatures, and we remember there are many ways to gather and share stories.

September gave us several opportunities to gather and we were reminded that whether we come together in solemn remembrance or celebration, the goal remains the same: build connections, raise awareness, and keep the veteran community visible.

Thank you to everyone, including our community partners and supporters, who attended our remembrance program, 9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME. In this program, we worked to create moments of quiet introspection as well as gentle fellowship with our neighbors. The opportunity to remember, reflect, and express gratitude is not something we take lightly. We believe that bearing witness is itself a form of service, and that everyone should have a place to remember in a way that is meaningful to them.

In addition to our September 11 program, we were able to meet our neighbors through opportunities of awareness and celebration, including a veteran suicide prevention fundraiser hosted by Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar in Sunnyvale, and joining art and wine lovers at the Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival. Check out Mission Moments to see how we came together with our community.

October gives us an opportunity to think about carrying our mission forward. A meaningful legacy gift to the VMSF Foundation is one way to help ensure that the work of supporting and remembering our veterans continues for generations to come. Creating a legacy gift becomes a form of storytelling of its own, carrying your values and your connection to the veteran community into the future. Read more about the three philosophy pillars of our Legacy Giving Invitation below and also in our Get Involved section.

Finally, looking further ahead to November, VMSF volunteers have been hard at work preparing to assist our local veterans at the Santa Clara County Veterans Stand Down. If you are not familiar with this event, or if you are familiar and would like to help, we have information in both the Upcoming Local Events and Patriotic Observances and Yellow Ribbon Field Reports sections. You can learn more about how this annual event has grown over time, how it connects to our Yellow Ribbon initiative, and ways you can support our mission.

We invite you to take a look at what we are doing and consider joining our Foundation at any level you can. You do not need a military connection to make a difference. We welcome individuals and families from all backgrounds and walks of life who want to help support those who served.

We at Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation thank you for your continued support.

In This Edition

🟥 Mission Moments

• VMSF Remembers September 11, 2001
• Thanking Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar for hosting Veteran Suicide Prevention Fundraiser
• Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival

🟦 Upcoming Local Events and Patriotic Observances 

• November 5-6, Thursday and Friday: Veterans Stand Down at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds
• November 10-14, Tuesday-Saturday: America's Freedom Tribute traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, Cupertino Memorial Park
• November 11, Wednesday: San Jose Veterans Day Parade

🟨 Yellow Ribbon Field Reports

• Preparing for Santa Clara County Stand Down, November 5-6

🟪 Get Involved - Support the Mission

• Donations and Volunteer Opportunities
• Legacy Campaign
• Volunteer Spotlight

⬜ Reference & Reflections

• Did You Know
• Photo Gallery: Moments of Service & Building Connections

Mission Moment: VMSF Remembers September 11, 2001

in 9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME Program

VMSF hosted an important gathering in our community to remember and pay respect to heroes, victims, and survivors.

On Friday, September 11, approximately 400–500 people gathered on the lawn of the Los Gatos Civic Center for the VMSF remembrance program, 9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME. The program marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, providing a public opportunity to remember the heroes, victims, and survivors of that day and those who carried the light of liberty forward in the years that followed.

A Gathering Rooted in Remembrance & Tradition

The program incorporated familiar elements of VMSF’s approach to remembrance, including gathering near the VMSF Flame of Liberty Memorial, the raising of a large American flag by Santa Clara County Fire Department Engine 85, the posting of colors by the Santa Clara County Fire Honor Guard, Amazing Grace performed by bagpiper Neil Williams, the National Anthem performed by Angela Borricua Tirado, and an invocation by Father Tony Mancuso.

VMSF volunteer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Marie Vyas served as emcee, connecting the traditions of military service and remembrance throughout the program.

Guest speakers placed flowers at the First Responders Memorial, the Flame of Liberty which holds the Soldiers Cross, and 9/11 Memorial. The First Responder’s bell was tolled 40 times in remembrance of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93, followed by a moment of silence and Taps, performed by husband-and-wife dueling buglers Guy and Laura Clark. Angela Borricua Tirado closed the program with God Bless America.

Together, these traditions gave the community an opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor those whose lives were changed by September 11.

Stories of Service, Courage, and Sacrifice

Assistant Chief Arthur “Art” Tomasetti of the Santa Clara County Fire Department spoke about the meaning of “duty to act, to respond, and to assist.” Connecting that responsibility to the passengers of Flight 93, including Los Gatos High School graduates Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham, he challenged the community to move beyond simply “Never Forget” toward “Always Remember” the bravery of those who responded, the unity of our nation, and the lives lost.

Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore focused on the importance of passing those memories to younger generations. He noted that many young people have never known airports without TSA or the TSA security protocols created after September 11. He called on the next generation to understand the gravity of why those changes were made and to carry the “love of this country” forward through remembrance and service.

Mayor Moore specifically recognized Beamer and Bingham as examples of the ways their courage continues to be remembered. He recalled Beamer’s rallying cry, “Let’s roll!” as passengers attempted to take control of Flight 93, and noted that Bingham’s legacy is honored through the Bingham Cup, the largest gay rugby tournament in the world. Mayor Moore announced that the two Los Gatos heroes were to be honored with a military flyover at the Los Gatos home football game later that evening.

Moore also recognized the long-term cost of September 11 for first responders and recovery workers, including those who continue to live with health consequences from their service. He reminded the community that being a Keeper of the Flame includes remembering survivors, grieving families, and those who continue to pay with their health.

His final message was a call to action through “small but meaningful acts of heroism”: mentoring a young person, volunteering, checking on a neighbor, sitting with someone in grief, or thanking a first responder or veteran.

Keynote speaker retired FDNY Lieutenant Joe Torrillo brought the experience of September 11 to the gathering through his own story. A 25-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, Torrillo served at Engine Company 10 across from the World Trade Center and survived being buried alive twice during the collapse of the towers.

With humor, faith, and candor, Torrillo described the choices he made that morning, the injuries he sustained, and the long emotional aftermath of surviving when 343 of his fellow firefighters did not. 

He also shared the story of how the FDNY Special Edition Billy Blazes^TM firefighter action figure had been scheduled to debut on September 11, 2001, intentionally connecting its launch date to the 911 emergency number. After the attacks, the project took on a new meaning as a tribute to the 343 firefighters who died, with more than $500,000 in proceeds going to the New York City Fire Department’s Fire Safety Education Fund and relief efforts.

Torrillo spoke about his love of country while acknowledging that America has not always gotten everything right. His message was to recognize the country’s failures, continue correcting them, and recognize the progress that has been made. He also emphasized sympathy, empathy, love, and compassion as responsibilities we carry toward one another.

Throughout the program, his stories connected service, courage, faith, resilience, compassion, and love of country without limiting those qualities to members of the military or first responder community.

Carrying the Stories Forward

The meaning of the morning extended beyond the program itself. As Keepers of the Flame, VMSF volunteers carry memories, experiences, and lessons forward so that future generations can understand what happened, remember those who were lost, and recognize the service and sacrifice that followed.

That spirit of community was already evident before the program began. Attendees stopped during setup, offered assistance, learned about VMSF, and shared their own connections to September 11. Keith had been on a flight that had just landed in New York as the attacks unfolded. Sandra had gone to school with Beamer and Bingham. Nancy learned about the program through the VMSF website. Volunteer Preston was not yet born when the events occurred. Each person brought a different point of connection to September 11, showing how the day continues to reach people across generations, backgrounds, and personal experiences.

Through the day's events, the stories shared by our speakers, public participation, and coverage through social media and local news, remembrance became a connecting experience that extended beyond those who attended in person.

And that is why we gather. Remembering is important, but remembering together creates an opportunity to connect, educate, and carry these stories forward.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us, supported the program, volunteered their time, shared their stories, or simply stopped to learn more. Your presence helped make this remembrance possible and, in turn, you became a part of our story of remembrance.

VMSF also expresses great appreciation to the contributors who helped make the memorial program possible: DJ Aaron Da-lug-dug of Amos Productions; Ben Solati and the production team at Afrang Media; Tyler Brunner, owner and photographer at seenPhotographs; Pat Tam videographer and president of Cupertino TV productions; and video editor Tori Andersen.

We extend a special thanks to Janelle Hearney and Boys Team Charity Los Gatos League, as well as Boy Scout Troop 539 and their parents–Justin Kominar, Dave LeRoy, John Ford, and Natalie Lyukevich-Subrahmanyan, for helping to distribute our fliers and setting up the stage.

We also thank Preston Wysocki and his mom, along with Torben Rankine, who stepped in to help set up chairs that morning. Preston and Torben, along with Torben's wife Jennifer Sundquist, and their pup, Fudgie are all featured in the photo gallery.

Thank you to our community for helping us carry the Flame of Liberty forward and for joining us to become Keepers of the Flame.

Additional Coverage and Related Resources

If you missed the event, there are several ways to watch all or part of the program, catch up on additional coverage, and explore related resources.

VMSF video footage is available in two versions: the full 49-minute program, or a shorter 27-minute version featuring keynote speaker, retired FDNY Lieutenant Joe Torrillo.

Thank you to the following organizations for covering the event and for helping to carry forward the stories we feel should continue to be heard:

NBC Bay Area News · The Los Gatan · Santa Clara County Fire Department.

The Mercury News: Subscriber advance article · Facebook post · Subscriber event article

CBS San Francisco: Article · Video coverage

KPIX CBS Bay Area: Instagram coverage

Learn more about The Bingham Cup that honors our local 9/11 hero, Mark Bingham.

Finally, check out a short history of the FDNY Billy Blazes^TM edition action figure.

A community gathers in remembrance and respect for heroes, victims, and survivors.

Photo Credits: Tyler Brunner

See more photos in our Photo Gallery

Mission Moment: Thanking Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar for Hosting Veteran Suicide Prevention Fundraiser

VMSF members thanks Bert's Stadium Sports Bar for an enjoyable "working day" of networking with local patrons for a great cause!

Image Credit: The Stadium Sports Bar (Instagram)

Every so often, a community steps up for our veterans without being asked. That is exactly what Roberta and the team at Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar did for VMSF.

On the evening of Saturday September 19, Bert’s hosted a special fundraising event supporting the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation and our work in Veteran Suicide Prevention. 

Bert’s has long been more than a place to grab a drink or watch a game. It is a community gathering place where neighbors, friends, and veterans come together for conversation, camaraderie, and connection.

Roberta (Bert) brought that same spirit of community to this event, taking on the work of hosting and organizing an evening designed to support our veterans.

We are grateful to Bert and everyone at Bert’s Stadium Sports Bar for opening their doors and bringing their community together in support of VMSF and our cause to bring awareness to veteran suicide awareness.

We are equally grateful to everyone who attended, contributed, purchased raffle tickets, enjoyed dinner, or simply showed up to demonstrate their support.

The team at Bert’s stepped up for VMSF and our veterans.

If you missed the fundraiser, consider stopping by to thank Bert and her team, or connect with them online:

Facebook: The Stadium | Sunnyvale CA

Instagram: The Stadium Sports Bar (@stadiumsunnyvale)



Yelp: Bert's Stadium Sports Bar

Mission Moment: Enjoying the Community Vibe at The Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival

VMSF volunteers, Diane Chandler and Marie Vyas welcomed guests on the busy and fun weekend!

Photo Credit: Heather J. Morrison

Art, Wine & a Little Local History

The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation joined the Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival at the Los Gatos Civic Center for the weekend of September 26 and 27 to introduce festival-goers to our foundation as they sipped and danced to many fun bands.

Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos, the annual Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival, also known as the Los Gatos Fiesta, is one of the community’s signature fundraising events, with proceeds supporting youth programs throughout Silicon Valley.

While participants visited our table, our volunteers shared the history of the Flame of Liberty memorial designed by Frank Kocian Morris, whose career as an artist and designer included work for the U.S. Mint, national publications, and numerous prominent figures and authors. We are very fortunate to have made such a wonderful connection to help turn our vision into a reality to share with our community.

We appreciate everyone who stopped by the VMSF booth, took a closer look at the Flame of Liberty, and spent a few minutes learning more about the memorial and the veterans and first responders it honors.

VMSF volunteers, Kent Hillhouse, Diane Chandler, and VMSF President Chaud Richards welcomed guests and shared a bit about our history and our memorials in the shade of the trees at the Los Gatos Civic Center.

Photo Credits: Heather J. Morrison

See more photos in our Photo Gallery

Upcoming Local Events

A two-day annual event connecting veterans with the Veterans Services Office of Santa Clara County and other agencies and nonprofits offering support, services, and resources. 

The event draws a significant number of veterans and their families.

The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation plans to participate, so drop by and connect with our team, and consider helping us out for distribution of items that will impact the lives of veterans and their families.

Please note, the County of Santa Clara requires all volunteers to register through their website. Read more about how to participate for this Stand Down event in our Yellow Ribbon Field Reports section below, and check our website for the latest information.

Join the City of Cupertino as they host the America’s Freedom Tribute, a model built to 80% scale consisting of 144 panels honoring more than 58,300 American service members whose names are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The display will be the week of November 10-14 with an adjacent Cupertino City-sponsored Veterans Day Ceremonial event held Wednesday November 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

You can learn more about the America’s Freedom Tribute on their home page, or get more information about the Cupertino or other locations for this moving tribute on their upcoming events page.

The Silicon Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will host the 108th San Jose Veterans Day Parade, recognized as one of the largest Veterans Day parades in Northern California. The parade honors all who served or are currently serving, with a special salute to Vietnam veterans this year.

The pre-parade ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. at Plaza De San Jose followed by the parade at noon. The route winds through downtown and will end near San Carlos and Market Street, near the San Jose Convention Center.

The parade route is about a mile in length and will take about an hour and a half to pass through.

Learn more details about the parade on the Silicon Valley MOAA page.

Check parking options and the parade route map.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizers as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.

Upcoming Patriotic Observances

Preparing for Santa Clara County Stand Down, November 5-6, 2026

Over the last several months, our volunteers Mary Lancaster and Wayne Heimsoth have worked hard to round up donations for our local veteran groups and agencies. One of the last “hauls” that the team made with local corporate donor FedEx back in August will be used for the Santa Clara Stand Down. Please keep reading to learn more about this large 2-day event to help our local veterans and check out some of the photos from the haul!

VMSF volunteers Mary Lancaster (shown) and board member Wayne Heimsoth (not shown) and the amazing work they have done to help build materials for one of our most important public Supply Drops, the Veterans Stand Down.

Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth

We thank the following sponsors for helping us with this yearly Stand Down event

Get Involved - Support the Mission

A meaningful legacy starts with your values, your questions, and your hopes for the future.

Visit our legacy page and connect with our Foundation team to begin the conversation.

📢 Spread the Word! 📢 

Stay Connected!

Our newsletter is just one way to stay connected with the Foundation.

Follow us on our social media links below for event photos, volunteer highlights, mission updates, and for the most up-to-date information and events and stories between editions.

Reference & Reflections

Veterans Day originated at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918, when an armistice went into effect to end major hostilities in World War I. The day was first known as Armistice Day.  

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as a day of commemoration to honor those who served in World War I and celebrate peace. In 1938, Congress made November 11 a legal federal holiday dedicated to world peace. And in 1954, following WWII and the Korean War, Congress amended the 1938 act to broaden the holiday's purpose to honor all U.S. military veterans from any conflict.  

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on June 1, 1954 to observe the day as Veterans Day, a day to "solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."

Photo Gallery: Moments of Service & Building Connections

9/11 at 25: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME Program

Thank you to all who stopped by that morning. You helped make our remembrance even more meaningful with your assistance, your presence, and the stories you shared.

Photo Credits: Rebecca Olsen; Tyler Brunner

Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival

We enjoyed spending the weekend with all who stoped by and enjoyed the spirit of this long standing event!

Photo Credits: Heather J. Morrison

Learn more and access official resources here:

👉 VA.gov main webpage - Start here for eligibility and connection resources

👉 VA.gov main benefits hub - Explore healthcare, disability, education, and more

👉 National Archives DD214 request - Official portal to request military service records

THE FLAME OF LIBERTY TIMES

Managing Editor & Publisher: Rebecca Olsen

Editor-in-Chief: Ellen Manzo

Editorial Manager: Mark Buxton

For more information on the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation or to make a donation please contact us:

Website: https://honoravet.org/

Email: honoravet@gmail.com

Phone:1-833-466-6728

(1-833-HonorAVet)

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