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This month's Mission Impact section reflects on Memorial Day through two Mission Moment stories: one honoring remembrance and sacrifice, and the other recognizing a lifetime of continued service.
Together, these two expressions capture the heart of why we do this work - we are proud to support members of our veteran community. We hope you find this additional content meaningful, reflective, and inspiring.
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Photo caption: Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex, Mountain Home, TN
Photo Credit: Rebecca Olsen
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Mission Moment: Honoring Sacrifice
Written by Board Member Ellen Manzo
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Memorial Day, traditionally celebrated on the last Monday of May, is a sacred day— a day set aside to honor the men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in service to this nation. It is a day that asks us to pause, reflect, and remember that the freedoms we enjoy were not freely given— they were earned through sacrifice.
Behind every name etched on a memorial, behind every folded flag, is a story. A life full of dreams, laughter, and love. A son or daughter, a brother or sister, a friend. These are not distant figures in history— they are deeply loved individuals whose absence is felt every single day.
Some families carry that absence more intimately than most. At the heart of Memorial Day are the families left behind— known as “Gold Star Families.” The term carries both honor and profound sorrow. These are families who have lost a loved one in military service, and whose lives are forever changed by that sacrifice. The title reflects a legacy of courage and devotion, but it also represents a grief that does not fade with time.
My family is a Gold Star Family. I understand the depth of what Memorial Day truly signifies. I have seen firsthand that the loss of a child is not something time erases. There is an empty chair at the table. A voice missing from everyday conversation. Milestones come and go. Photos are absent a loved one now cherished only in memory.
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When that child’s final act was one of devotion to country, grief is intertwined with pride— pride in their courage, their selflessness, and their willingness to stand for something greater than themselves. It is a pride that does not lessen the pain but settles into the very core of those left behind.
Memorial Day, for our country’s Gold Star Families, is not just a moment— it is a mirror of a life permanently changed. While the nation pauses for a day, these families carry remembrance every day.
So, what does it mean to truly honor the fallen?
It means more than a moment of silence— more than flags placed carefully on graves. It means remembering their stories. Speaking their names. Living in a way that reflects the values they stood for— service, sacrifice, and love of country.
It means reaching out to those who grieve, not just today, but throughout the year. It means understanding that freedom is not an abstract idea— it is something defended, at great cost, by real people— a cost borne not only by those who serve, but also by the families who love them. It means honoring the strength of those who carry on, holding space for both gratitude and sorrow, and teaching the next generation that remembrance matters.
Memorial Day, at its core, is America’s promise— that these lives given for freedom, and the love surrounding them, will never be forgotten.
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Photo caption: Flags fly on graves of veterans at the Tinicum United Church of Christ, Pipersville, PA
Photo Credit: Ellen Manzo
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Mission Moment: Lifelong Service
| | | | Photo caption: Supported by his family, Michael Frangadakis receives commendation from Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore | | | |
This month, we are proud to recognize Chief Master Sergeant Michael Frangadakis, one of our own, who was formally honored for his extraordinary lifetime of service with a commendation from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors presented by Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore.
Mike’s story is one of continued commitment across decades, uniforms, and communities. In 1967 he enlisted and served with distinction in the United States Army as a medical technician in Vietnam. After building a successful civilian career, he once again stepped forward following the events of 9/11, reenlisting in the California State Guard to train and mentor the next generation of service members.
He later retired from a distinguished career at the 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Field, where he served in the highest enlisted rank of E9, supporting both military leadership and state efforts to keep Californians safe during emergency situations and provide assistance in search and rescue, civilian medical evacuations, and disaster response.
But as Mayor Moore emphasized, Mike’s service did not end with retirement.
Here in our local community, he has continued to shape how we remember and honor those who serve. He was instrumental in bringing the Flame of Liberty Memorial from vision to reality in Los Gatos, helping create a lasting place of remembrance for veterans. He became the founding President of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation and remains actively involved today.
Mike's impact also extends through 13 years of service on the Santa Clara County Veterans Commission which included three terms as chair, and countless hours supporting annual Memorial Day observances at Oak Hill Memorial Park. In 2019, he was named Santa Clara County Veteran of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary contributions.
At the heart of the Mayor’s presentation was a simple but powerful message: the safety and stability many of us experience today exists because of the service and sacrifice of veterans like Mike. His legacy is not only in the uniforms he wore, but in the communities he strengthened, the memorials he helped build, and the veterans he continues to support.
We at the Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation are honored to celebrate this recognition of one of a member of our own team. It is a powerful reminder for all of us that service does not end when the uniform comes off—it evolves, continues, and leaves a lasting mark on the communities we are part of.
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| Upcoming Patriotic Observances | | From Memorial Day through Independence Day, the weeks ahead include several opportunities for our community to pause in remembrance and gratitude for the individuals, service, sacrifice, military history, and defining moments of freedom that have helped shape our nation's story. | |
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May
- May 25 — Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
June
- June 6 — D - Day
- June 12 — Women Veterans Day
- June 14 — Flag Day and Army Birthday (1775)
- June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
July
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July 4 — Independence Day
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Yellow Ribbon Spotlight
Highlighting Veteran Impact and Community Support
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In April, our Yellow Ribbon team delivered impact through both system-wide Supply Drops and targeted VA Wish List contributions - two coordinated giving streams supporting veterans across multiple care settings.
These efforts deployed by our Yellow Ribbon team often require short-notice coordination and flexibility, as timelines shift based on donor availability and facility needs to ensure timely pickup, transport, and delivery of materials.
If you are interested in supporting our Supply Drop missions to veterans and their families, please consider making a donation. Your support makes it possible to continue providing care for those who have served our country.
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| Supply Drops: Delivering Essential Supplies at Scale | | |
On April 28, our Yellow Ribbon Team completed a Supply Drop of donated household and wellness supplies, non-perishable food items, and clothing supporting our local VA facilities. The shipment included two full carloads of items coordinated for delivery to both the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and the VA Northern California Health Care System in Livermore.
Thank you again to our corporate donor FedEx for their continued generosity. Through this partnership, we are able to extend the reach of supplies to VA facilities serving veterans in our region.
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Photo captions: Volunteers, Mary Lancaster picks up donations at FedEx facilities
Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth
| | | VA Wish Lists: Deliveries Supporting Therapeutic Enrichment | | |
Small items can make a big impact. Across our VA Wish List Initiatives, small donations can create meaningful moments of engagement, creativity, and healing for the veterans we serve. In April, Board Member Wayne Heimsoth helped guide donated items to two different VA support settings.
On April 8, we delivered a LEGO gift card to the Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy Service. This type of donation provides veterans with opportunities for hands-on, creative engagement during therapy sessions - offering a simple but effective outlet for focus, relaxation, and expression while receiving care.
In a separate contribution on April 24, we delivered a Reno Mondo Djembes drum to the Mental Health Clinic Music Therapy program at the Monterey Division. This instrument will be used in active music-making and other music therapy experiences designed to support veterans' mental and physical well-being by encouraging connection, coordination, and emotional expression.
These kinds of activities help create moments of calm, accomplishment, and even joy during what can often be a challenging recovery process. They meet the veterans where they are and support healing through engagement, creativity, and connection.
Together, the Supply Drops and VA Wish List contributions reflect two complementary dimensions of the Yellow Ribbon program — operational support on a broad scale and hands-on donations that directly benefit veterans in care, showing how even small items can make a big impact.
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Photo captions: Volunteer Wayne Heimsoth drops off a Reno Mondo Djembes drum to VA Mental Health Clinic Music Therapy program staff member (Monterey Division)
Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth
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Please see the Get Involved section below to learn how individuals, businesses, community groups, and local organizations can participate.
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Get Involved - Support the Mission
We are currently seeking volunteers and community members who would like to participate in this growing work supporting veterans and their families. There are many ways to contribute —whether through assisting at events, supporting community outreach, or helping expand program initiatives.
If you are interested in strengthening programs that serve veterans and their families, we encourage you to learn more about how you can get involved.
Explore volunteer opportunities
Support our programs
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Photo caption: Pat Tam, videographer and President of Cupertino TV productions, poses with VMSF volunteers following a recent video shoot at the Flame of Liberty Memorial
Photo Credit: Pat Tam
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| | Sharing this newsletter with others helps extend our reach to veterans and families in need of support, and helps us connect with individuals who want to support our mission. | |
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If someone shared this newsletter with you, we are glad you are here!
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The pathways surrounding the memorial continue to grow with tributes dedicated by grateful families, friends, and supporters. Your gift creates lasting recognition, gratitude, and healing.
Honor your Hero at the Flame of Liberty Memorial.
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Reference & Reflections - Points of Interest
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Memorial Day includes a national call to reflection in the middle of the day.
In December 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance, encouraging Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor those who died in military service.
The 3:00 p.m. time was chosen to encourage Americans to step away from holiday activities to pause and reflect on the meaning of the day.
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As the D-Day anniversary approaches on, many people picture the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy June 6, 1944,, we remember the human side of battle.
Young service members crossing the English Channel far from their homes.
They faced fear and uncertainty with a sense of duty.
Families waited at home for news of the war, and news of their loved ones.
D-Day was also supported by thousands of individuals serving in many different roles. Alongside the troops on the front lines were nurses, codebreakers and radio operators, pilots,
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| Photo caption: WWII image (Dwight D. Eisenhower and U.S. troops).Photo credit: U.S. National Archives | |
journalists and logistics personnel helping to sustain one of the largest military operations in history, and an event that became a turning point in World War II.
Today we remember the courage, sacrifice, and service of all who supported the operation and the contributions that helped shape history.
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Essential Information for
Veterans and Their Family Members
| | Navigating services and benefits can sometimes feel overwhelming. The following links help connect veterans, caregivers, and family members with important VA resources, support information, and helpful tools. | |
| For more information on the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation or to make a donation please contact us: | | | | |
