A Community of Veterans, United in Remembrance
2026 Memorial Day Commemoration at San Francisco County Jail #3
Introduction
Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration (C.O.V.E.R.) Program
Date: May 21, 2026
Location: San Francisco County Jail #3, San Bruno
On May 21, 2026, the Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration (C.O.V.E.R.) Program hosted a deeply moving Memorial Day Commemoration inside San Francisco County Jail #3. The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Restorative Justice Ministry was honored to be invited to witness this gathering of incarcerated veterans, community partners, justice leaders, and service providers.
The ceremony honored the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, while also uplifting the veterans who continue their journey of healing and restoration. Through prayer, poetry, reflection, and community presence, the event affirmed a powerful truth: every veteran deserves dignity, connection, and hope—including those who are incarcerated.
Program Highlights
Opening remarks
Elena Kim, U.S. Army Veteran & Chief Operating Officer, Swords to Plowshares
Pledge of Allegiance & moment of silence
Jesse Dyer, U.S. Army Veteran & C.O.V.E.R. Participant
C.O.V.E.R. participant introductions
Diana Perdomo, C.O.V.E.R. Program Coordinator
Poem
“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, recited by Neil Tremain, U.S. Army Veteran & C.O.V.E.R. Participant
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row…”
Remarks
Captain Raymond Winters, SF Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
Ron Perez, Founder of the C.O.V.E.R. Program
Blessing of the food
Bret Bartholdson, U.S. Navy Veteran & C.O.V.E.R. Participant
Closing remarks
Elena Kim, U.S. Army Veteran & Swords’ COO
Photo courtesy of Lt. T. Martin, County Jail #3
C.O.V.E.R. program participants and community partners gather during the Memorial Day Commemoration at San Francisco County Jail #3.
Photo courtesy of Lt. T. Martin, County Jail #3
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto addresses the veterans and guests during the Memorial Day Commemoration inside County Jail #3, offering reflections on service, sacrifice, and community.
“C.O.V.E.R. acknowledgments”
The Memorial Day Commemoration inside San Francisco County Jail #3 was made possible through the collaboration of many partners who support the C.O.V.E.R. Program and the veterans it serves. The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Restorative Justice Ministry was honored to be invited to witness this powerful gathering.
SF Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto
Captain Raymond Winters
William Cooper, Programs Manager
Surayna Spicer, Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
Karen Escalante, Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
Angela Wilson, Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
Andy Dulay, Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
Yolanda Robinson, Religious Services Coordinator
In-custody partners
Five Keys
Roads to Recovery
No Violence Alliance (NoVA)
Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP)
Keys to Change
JBHS Department
Justice partners
Honorable Judge Michael Begert
Honorable Judge Simon Frankel
Hattie Holloway, VJC
SF Pretrial Diversion Project
Department of Veterans Affairs
Jenna Ferrara
Alexander Kohut
Tim Healy
Department of Public Health
Steven Clark
Jennifer Awa
Community organizations
SF Veterans Lions Club
Dee Dee, CCW
Corey Monroe, Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Center
Hiro, SF Zen Center
Peggy & Gilligan, Canine Companion
Swords to Plowshares
Diana Perdomo, C.O.V.E.R. Program Coordinator
Elena Kim, Chief Operating Officer
Eric Wick, USMC Veteran & SSVF Case Manager
Additional Swords to Plowshares staff supporting the program
C.O.V.E.R. program participants
From opening remarks to closing reflections, the veterans themselves were at the heart of this commemoration—offering leadership, presence, and a powerful witness of service, sacrifice, and resilience.
Voices of the Day
“As someone who chose this nation as home, I honor with gratitude the heroes who defended its values and freedoms.”
Diana Perdomo C.O.V.E.R Program Coordinator (Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration) San Francisco CJ #3
“May we honor their service by carrying forward the values they stood for — courage, gratitude, and remembrance.”
Lt. T. Martin, County Jail #3
“As a formerly incarcerated veteran, it was a blessing to be given the opportunity to come into the San Francisco County Jail to stand with my veteran brothers in the C.O.V.E.R. program as we honor our fallen brothers and sisters. I cannot overstate how important that connection is to incarcerated veterans trying to find their way home.”
Eric Wick, USMC Veteran and SSVF Case Manager
A Restorative Justice Reflection
Memorial Day calls us to remember the fallen—and to care for the living. Inside CJ3, this commemoration showed what that care looks like: community, dignity, presence, and the belief that every person can rise again.
To all veterans—those in our parishes, our neighborhoods, and behind the walls of our jails—we honor you. Your service matters. Your lives matter. We walk with you on the road to restoration.
Julio Escobar
Restorative Justice Ministry
Archdiocese of San Francisco
A ministry of presence