The 2002 Team

This team consisted of Carmen Gonzalez, Elizabeth Amaral and Karla Elias. The 2002 team also had a busy year. As the program became known throughout the community, we were asked to take part in a number of veteran related activities. These included:

a.) The Alameda County Veterans Day Observance. On November 11, 2001 team members Elizabeth Amaral and Karla Elias took part in the Alameda County Veterans Day observance held at Alameda, California. We were invited by the chairman of the Alameda County Commission for Veterans Affairs, Mr. Mark Chandler. In attendance were members of various veterans groups, representatives from state and local governments, military personnel, and the general public. The Master of Ceremonies was television personality Tom Sinkovitz .

Elizabeth gave a speech on the San Lorenzo High School Veterans Memorial Program. She talked about the history of the program, its present goals, and what taking part in the program has meant to her. The team members were able to meet a number of different veterans - from former POW's to veterans of the 555th Parachute Battalion to women who served in the aircraft ferry service of WWII. It was an experience they would not forget.

b.) Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. In February 2002, the Veterans Memorial Team was invited to attend the monthly meeting of Chapter #7 of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. The monthly theme was Americanism. In addition to the team, four members of the San Lorenzo HS choir attended. The choir members, under the direction of team member Elizabeth Amaral, sang the National Anthem. The team then presented a program explaining the history and goals of the project and also talked about the veterans we honor. The students were then invited to watch the Ceremony of the Four Chaplains. It was a rewarding day for everyone.

c.) Working with alumni in getting recognition for our veteran Gary Giovannelli. One of San Lorenzo High School's honored veterans, Gary Giovannelli, is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward, California. At the cemetery there is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall honoring those students from Hayward, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo who died in Vietnam. Gary's name was not placed on the wall originally. Although Gary attended San Lorenzo HS, he lived in San Leandro. Technically he was not eligible to be honored on the Lone Tree wall. Through the lobbying efforts of former friends of Gary's (including Anna Marie Anger), his mother, and the San Lorenzo High School Veterans Program Gary's name was finally added to the wall. We would like to thank Tom Gratny and Bob Mattos of the Lone Tree Cemetery Executive Board for their support in this effort.

d.) Memorial Day, 2002. On Memorial Day, 2002, team members Carmen Gonzalez and Karla Elias attended the services at Lone Tree Cemetery. They were able to lay flowers at Gary Giovannelli's gravesite, and were also able to place flowers at the Lone Tree Cemetery Vietnam Memorial Wall in honor of all the San Lorenzo veterans.

The 2002 Team

Carmen Gonzalez, Elizabeth Amaral, Karla Elias, and Mrs. Linda Bradford (DECA teacher)

Veterans Day, 2001
Mr Ghiselli (project advisor), Karla Elias, and Elizabeth Amaral	The Encinal HS (Alameda, CA) Junior ROTC Color Guard.	The view from the audience showing some of the dignitaries present (including our own team members.) Mr. Chandler is speaking.	Our team members along with UC Berkeley student Agatha de la Cruz (center) meeting with Tom Sinkovitz

The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Meeting
Members of the SLZHS choir. Team member Liz Amaral is at the left.	Officers of the auxiliary chapter.	Team members and members of the choir.
The Ceremony of the 4 Chaplains.	Members of the auxiliary chapter and team members get together after the meeting.

Newspaper Article on Gary Giovannelli
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Memorial Day, 2002 - Lone Tree Cemetery
Carmen and Karla at Gary's gravesite.	Karla and Carmen at the wall. They have just placed flowers in honor of SLZHS' veterans and all veterans on the wall.	Karla, Carmen, Mrs. Maxine Esposito (Gary's mom), and Anna Marie Anger (friend of Gary from SLZHS).	Some of the Hayward firefighters also honored that day.
Part of the audience at the ceremonies.	Raising the flag.	Taps.	Part of the wall with Gary's name on it. You can also see the names of fellow Rebels Steve Srsen, Jim Piper, Kenny Ferguson, Jerry Henry, Gary Plumb, Willis Cardin and Dave Barber.