Thank you to all veterans who have served our country!
The City of Walnut Creek will pay tribute to veterans on Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in the Hoffman Theatre at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The free ceremony is open to the public.
Keynote speaker Colonel Anita Fligge of the United States Air Force Reserve, will share her experiences in aeromedical evacuation, where nurses and medical technicians provide constant care to wounded warriors when they are being flown home to safety.
Col Fligge has deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. Col Fligge is assigned to the Pentagon, where she assists the Director in the Medical Directorate office in matters of health policy affecting the Air Force Reserve, and serves on the Board of Directors, Air Force Reserve Nurse Corps. In her civilian capacity, she works at John Muir Health in Walnut Creek.
The ceremony will also feature the “Pets for Vets” program created by Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, which matches carefully selected shelter dogs with veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or emotional trauma.
The Pets for Vets program provides powerful therapeutic and practical benefits for veterans through the quiet, unconditional love of a pet, reducing anxiety, depression and isolation.
Mayor Loella Haskew will lead the ceremony. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Walnut Creek Concert Band under the direction of Harvey Benstein.