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Oakland Monument to Soldiers Killed in Vietnam

Published

7 years ago

May 31, 2017

A monument listing the names of the 100 Oakland members of the armed forces who were killed in the Vietnam War was dedicated at the Oakland Veterans Memorial Building Lake Merritt.

The unveiling ceremony took place during Memorial Day weekend.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 400, donated the memorial in commemoration of those whose sacrifice gives us the privilege and duty to continue their legacy of freedom and liberty.

Memorial honoring 100 Oakland Vietnam Veterans

Arnold Dos Santos, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, was master of ceremonies. In his opening remarks, he lamented that the absence of the Oakland and Alameda County elected officials was distressing.

Only Joshua Quigley, representing Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland City Councilmember Abel Guillén and Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer were in attendance.

Dos Santos asked the families and friends of those brave men to stand.

Fernando Valenzuela honored his brother, Army Pfc. Oscar Valenzela Jr., who was killed in Vietnam at age 19.

Retired U.S. Air Force colonel and Vietnam war veteran Conway Jones Jr. delivered the welcome address for the dedication.

Jones reflected that war exacted a huge human cost in terms of fatalities – between 1 – 3 million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians killed, between 240,000–300,000 Cambodians killed, and between 20,000–62,000 Laotians killed , as well as 58,148 U.S. service members who died in the conflict and 1,626 remain missing in action.

Jones quoted from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, saying “that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”

Names of the 100 servicemen were read by Raymond Will, VVA Chapter 400,and Marinda Santos, daughter of a Vietnam veteran.

The ceremony concluded with the placing of a wreath at the monument and the playing of “Amazing Grace “and “Taps” by bagpiper Sgt. Jim Marsh.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”