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Cupertino honors veterans at Memorial Park with speeches, music and family tributes
Summary
Cupertino’s Veterans Day ceremony at Memorial Park featured remarks from Mayor Liang Chao, De Anza College President Omar Torres, Major General Rob Osterberg and Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Johnson, musical tributes, proclamations and family flower placements honoring local service members.
Cupertino held its annual Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony at Memorial Park on Nov. 11, drawing civic leaders, veterans, family members and community volunteers for speeches, musical tributes and the placing of flowers at the city’s veterans memorial.
Mayor Liang Chao opened the event, thanking volunteers and presenters and issuing two city proclamations "honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces" and a separate proclamation recognizing first responders; she also announced a new ‘hometown hero’ category in the city’s Crest awards program. "It is my great honor to welcome you to our Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony," Mayor Liang Chao said.
De Anza College President Omar Torres highlighted the college’s veteran support, saying the campus serves more than 400 student veterans and praising the work of the Matthew Axelson Foundation and the Suh family in sustaining the memorial and veteran resources. Torres asked the community to ensure that "every veteran knows they are valued" as they reintegrate into civilian life.
Major General Rob Osterberg reflected on the origin of Veterans Day and shared personal service experiences spanning Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Osterberg emphasized that honoring veterans requires tangible action beyond words, urging support for VA services, mental‑health resources and community programs that assist veterans and their families. "Honoring them requires more than words. It requires action, supporting VA services, helping military families hire and hiring veterans into our businesses," he said.
Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Johnson spoke about parallels between military and law‑enforcement service and encouraged veterans to consider public‑safety careers, stating, "The Santa Clara Sheriff's Office is hiring." Johnson framed public trust as essential to public safety and urged leaders to pause, listen and lead with compassion.
Organizers noted that the Cupertino Veterans Memorial Foundation provides annual gifts to veterans (described in the event program as between $5,000 and $10,000). The Axelson and Suh families placed flowers at the Guardians sculpture honoring Petty Officer Matthew (Matt) Axelson and Navy SEAL James Suh, both memorialized for their roles in Operation Red Wings. The ceremony included musical performances by the Kennedy Middle School choir, a violin solo by Reyna Padron, bagpiper Vince Guinane playing "Amazing Grace," and a choir selection during flower placement.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens presented commendations on behalf of the state and thanked organizers, civic leaders and volunteers. Event organizers also previewed a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall exhibit planned for the park next year.
The program closed with a benediction delivered by Chaplain Richard Veidt, Taps played by Captain Bill Cohende, and thanks to the volunteers and veterans who helped stage the ceremony. Attendees were invited to return next year for the Vietnam Memorial Wall exhibit.
