his letters were living history and it's hard to believe it was 50 years ago. >> kenneth hearst died in an enemy ambush may 13, 1967 killed along with 87 other men in his squad and only 12 survived. >> memorial day obviously honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country but it also reminds us of the contributions of all veterans and for one san francisco organization honoring those men and women makes this an extraordinary day. carolyn tyler has the story. >> the chefs arrived early to prepare a sort of indoor picnic on this memorial day one out of five enjoying a free meal is a victory. >> i really, today 50 volunteers are serving those who served our nation and now need our support. >> it's not the initial parade or a place of honor, but they have done a lot. joseph luna and henry innocencio. >> we can relate to many things that other people have no clue of what we went through. >> the other people have other minds for festivities but mine is focused on the veterans that gave all. >> reporter: you might think christmas would be the busiest day at st. anthony's dinin

kenneth hearst wrote to his family in the month before he died.ra anthony joins us live from walnut creek. laura? >> reporter: this was a very somber ceremony here in walnut creek. it was like going back in time actually, as someone got up on the podium here and read letters from a marine killed in combat. ♪ ♪ ♪ unfortunately, the character of this war is changing rapidly. they're the words of a young marine stationed in vietnam taken from letters he wrote to his family months before he was killed in combat. >> no longer are we contending with harassment from snipers. the day of the vietcong is nearly over. the ground war is escalating toward another korea. marine lance corporal kenneth hearst was a prolific letter writer though his sister told us he was a quiet man in person. it was bearable so others could learn. >> it's history. his letters were living history and it's hard to believe it was 50 years ago. >> but the last thing i want you to do is worry about me. >> many of hearst's writings seemed meant to reassure his family and there are refe

. >> kenneth hearst was a prolific letter writer. his sister made the writings available so others can learn. >> it's putting life in perspective. you shouldn't forget what these people did. >> you don't worry if the letters aren't too numerous. >> there are references to the danger he and others live with every day. >> they're killing many more enemy than ever before, we're also losing our share of men. i would be a liar to claim the prospect of going into this sort of combat did not frighten me. he was killed in 1967, killed with 87 men in his squad. only 12 survived. laura anthony, abc7 news. >>> a memorial day vigil is set to get underway on this hillside. it's been nine years since a group of residents began putting crosses on the hill for each u.s. soldier killed. some criticized it calling it a political statement. that controversy went away. now, families go to personalize the process with names and pictures of the loved ones. >> families come from around the country and bring their photographs and have very much a movement f