LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Orinda Veterans Remember Okinawa


From left, veterans Bill Cooper and Bob Maynard will be raising money for veterans organizations this year. Photo provided

The imminent release of the film "Hacksaw Ridge" will portray the 1945 Battle of Okinawa unlike any movie since World War II. A pair of longtime Orindans remember it very well as they witnessed it as teenagers.

Former Marine Bob Maynard was drafted in 1943 and served as a radio crew chief. Bill Cooper, a decades-long Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 237, was drafted into the Army in 1943. He served as a Combat Infantryman in several major Pacific battles, including being on the next ridge over from Hacksaw Ridge during that battle. For the past seven years, they have been raising funds for local veteran's charities as part of the VFW Buddy Poppy effort.

In honor of Veterans Day, they'll occupy a corner of the Bank of America building in Orinda Village for an effort benefiting Lamorinda VFW Post 8063, from 9 a.m. until noon, on Thursday Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4. Proceeds benefit the Palo Alto Polytrauma Clinic, the Concord Vet Center, and many other veteran's charities.