By Kevin Martin
SFPOA Vice President
For the fourth year in a row, members of the San Francisco Police Department and Police Officers Association gathered with many other people at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio on Saturday, December 11, 2010 to honor and pay respect to United States Military members who gave their lives for their country.
Officers Wayne Sato, Martha Fabiani and Matt Castagnola of the SFPD Mounted Unit, Traffic Company Solo Harold Vance, Richmond Station officer Mark Lundin, Special Investigations Unit Inspector Scott Warnke, and Ingleside Station SIT investigator Larry Chan joined me to honor our country and our country’s real heroes and to give pause and thanks for their ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony was quite moving, and all branches of the military were represented.
The event at the Presidio was just one of hundreds taking place at the various National Cemeteries across the nation and the starting times for each were synchronized to coincide.
As in the past, SFPD Piper Larry Chan honored the ceremony with his usual outstanding rendition of “Amazing Grace,” a beautiful but mournful dirge. This year’s guest speaker was Army Major Christine Kennedy, daughter of retired SFPD member Joe Kennedy and brother of Patrick Kennedy of the SFPD Special Investigations Division, Mayor’s Protection Detail. Joe, his wife, son-in-law, and his two granddaughters were very proud to watch and listen as Major Kennedy gave a very moving and inspirational message to those in attendance.
As part of the ceremony, 1700 wreaths were laid upon the graves of those service men and women who gave their lives for our country. All those in attendance joined in the very moving, honorable, and grateful task of the laying of the wreaths.
As the father of a 2nd Lieutenant currently serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, I was proud, honored, and humbled to be part of such a patriotic ceremony. I look forward to honoring our real heroes again next year.
I extend my very special thanks to the aforementioned members of our esteemed department for volunteering their time and talents for such a worthy and noble tribute.
Please consider joining us next year as we develop this tradition. I would like to recognize and thank Sgt. Bob Totah of the Tactical/Mounted unit as well as Captain Al Casciato of the Traffic Company for their cooperation and support.
