Stanford University and the City of Palo Alto honored Vietnam War veteran Sgt. Joseph "Fighting Joe" Tucker Sr. at a Veterans Day ceremony at MacArthur Park on Monday, Nov. 9.
Donna Zolezzi of South Bay Blue Star Moms presented Tucker with a quilt, The Stanford Daily reported. The city's event page described the presentation as a Quilt of Honor, while Stanford University's event listing called it a Quilt of Valor.
Tucker served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 with the 101st Airborne Division near Phu Bai. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star Medal for his service under fire, according to the city's event page. He also serves as the Service Officer and Sergeant-at-Arms for American Legion Post 375 in Palo Alto.
The keynote speaker was Lt. Col. Tyler Jensen, a U.S. Army Special Forces officer, Silver Star recipient and Hoover Institution National Security Affairs Fellow, according to the city.
The event included an honor guard from the Palo Alto police and fire departments and a performance of the national anthem by the Stanford Mendicants. The city listed the event from 3 to 5 p.m., with the ceremony scheduled to end by 4 p.m. and a reception to follow.
MacArthur Park's building originally served as a YWCA Hostess House for troops training at Camp Fremont and visiting family members during World War I, according to the venue's history page. The site is at 27 University Ave. in Palo Alto.
