Recordando Mauthausen: Un legado de supervivencia y resistencia
5 de mayo de 2025 — 80 años desde la liberación de Mauthausen
La nueva novela en preparación de David Eugene Perry, Thorns of the 15 Roses, abarca su legado.
Hace ochenta años esta semana, el 5 de mayo de 1945, las tropas estadounidenses liberaron el campo de concentración nazi de Mauthausen en Austria. Aproximadamente 90,000 personas murieron en este notorio gulag entre 1938 y 1945.
Entre sus prisioneros había más de 7,000 republicanos españoles antifascistas que habían huido de España después de que las fuerzas nacionalistas reclamaran la victoria en la Guerra Civil Española, tras el golpe antidemocrático del aliado de Hitler, Francisco Franco. Estos españoles fueron posteriormente deportados por las autoridades nazis, a menudo después de haber sido detenidos en Francia. De ellos, alrededor de 5,000 murieron en Mauthausen, muchos por agotamiento, hambre, tortura, ejecución o trabajo forzado en condiciones brutales—particularmente en las tristemente célebres Escaleras de la Muerte en la cantera de granito cercana.
En la próxima novela Thorns of the 15 Roses, uno de esos supervivientes españoles vive—al menos ficticiamente—como un soldado republicano centenario cuya dignidad silenciosa e historia desgarradora sustentan un hilo de memoria que recorre la obra. Su resiliencia no es solo un recurso narrativo, sino un homenaje a las personas reales que sufrieron lo indecible y, sin embargo, resistieron, a menudo olvidadas por la historia y abandonadas por el Estado que lucharon por preservar.
Thorns of the 15 Roses es la esperada secuela de Upon This Rock, la novela de misterio ganadora de premios, elogiada por su mezcla de arte, fe e intriga. Rock, el libro más vendido de la editorial Linden Press / Quilldriver Books, ya va por su segunda edición y se encuentra en desarrollo como guion cinematográfico.
Ambientada una década después de los eventos de Rock en Orvieto, Italia, Thorns reúne a la pareja Adriano y Lee a bordo de un crucero que viaja desde su hogar en San Francisco hasta la tierra natal de Adriano en España. A lo largo del trayecto, su historia se cruza con conspiraciones globales, ecos de Al-Ándalus y la Reconquista, y las heridas persistentes de la Guerra Civil Española.
Inspirada por el pueblo y la gente de Grazalema, España, Thorns también retoma personajes queridos como la enigmática Magda—y quizás incluso uno o dos papas—mientras Adriano y Lee enfrentan una amenaza con implicaciones no solo para España, sino para toda la humanidad.
Pero es el superviviente centenario quien, en muchos sentidos, representa el alma de la novela—un puente viviente entre el pasado y el presente, un símbolo de la tenacidad de la verdad. Mientras España y el mundo luchan nuevamente con cuestiones de memoria, revisionismo y reconciliación, la historia de los supervivientes de Mauthausen nos recuerda: la historia no es pasado. Vive, respira y enseña—si estamos dispuestos a escucharla.
Perry y su esposo, Alfredo Casuso, estarán este verano en el pueblo andaluz de Grazalema, España, terminando la novela.
Remembering Mauthausen: A Legacy of Survival and Resistance
May 5, 2025 — 80 years since the liberation of Mauthausen David Eugene Perry’s new underway novel “Thorns of the 15 Roses” encompasses its legacy
Eighty years ago this week, on May 5, 1945, American troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Mauthausen in Austria. Approximately 90,000 people died in this notorious gulag between 1938 and 1945.
Among its prisoners were more than 7,000 anti-Fascist Spanish Republicans who had fled Spain after Nationalist forces claimed victory in the Spanish Civil War, following Hitler ally Francisco Franco’s anti democratic coup. These Spaniards were later deported by Nazi authorities, often after being detained in France. Of those, about 5,000 Spanish prisoners died at Mauthausen, many from exhaustion, starvation, torture, execution, or forced labor under brutal conditions—particularly in the notorious Stairs of Death at the nearby granite quarry.
In the forthcoming novel, Thorns of the 15 Roses, one of those Spanish survivors lives on—fictionally at least—as a centenarian Republican soldier whose quiet dignity and harrowing story anchor a thread of memory running through the novel. His resilience is not just a narrative device, but a tribute to the very real people who suffered unspeakably and yet endured, often forgotten by history and abandoned by the state they had fought to preserve.
Thorns of the 15 Roses is the long-awaited sequel to Perry’s award winning Upon This Rock, the mystery thriller praised for its blend of art, faith, and intrigue. Rock, the best-selling book from Publisher Linden Press / Quilldriver Books, is now in its second printing and in screenplay development.
Set a decade after Rock’s events in Orvieto, Italy, Thorns reunites the couple Adriano and Lee aboard a cruise ship journeying from their home in San Francisco to Adriano’s homeland of Spain. Along the way, their story collides with global conspiracies, echoes from Al-Andalus and the Reconquista, and the lingering wounds of the Spanish Civil War.
Inspired by the people and place of Grazalema, Spain, Thorns also revisits beloved characters like the mysterious Magda—and perhaps even a Pope or two—as Adriano and Lee confront a threat with implications not just for Spain, but for humanity itself.
But it is the centenarian survivor who, in many ways, represents the soul of the novel—a living bridge between the past and the present, a symbol of truth’s tenacity. As Spain and the world grapple anew with questions of memory, revisionism, and reconciliation, the story of Mauthausen’s survivors reminds us: history isn’t past. It lives, it breathes, and it teaches—if we are willing to listen.
Perry and his husband, Alfredo Casuso, will be in the Andalusian town of Grazalema, Spain this summer, finishing the novel.
Presidio of San Francisco Hosts Memorial Day Commemorations
Military Post Turned National Park Site Has Honored Memorial Day for 157 Years
San Francisco, CA (May 07, 2025) – The Presidio of San Francisco, a legendary former Army post that is now among America’s most visited national park sites, will host a variety of events commemorating Memorial Day on Monday, May 26.
Events include a major public gathering at San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio, which is the final resting place for 30,000 veterans and their family members. A ceremony honoring Memorial Day has been held there for 157 years. The event is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and regularly draws more than 2,000 guests.
Other activities in the park include special hours for the Presidio Officers’ Club History Exhibition, an organ concert at the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, a history talk at Fort Point National Historic Site, and more.
The Presidio is a National Historic Landmark District and was an important military post for 2018 years, encompassing historic events of global significance. Memorial Day honors the one million Americans who died while serving in the United States armed forces and the remarkable commitment and sacrifices made by active-duty military personnel and veterans.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS AT THE PRESIDIO
157th Memorial Day Commemoration at the Presidio
Date: Monday, May 26 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Place: San Francisco National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln boulevard, San Francisco Contact: Tel. (650) 589-7737; Email: goldengatenc@va.gov Cost: Free
The Department of Veterans Affairs presents the official City and County of San Francisco Memorial Day Observance in the Presidio. The ceremony will honor the one million Americans who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces and will connect the public to the commitment and sacrifices made by military personnel, veterans, and their families. The program includes Master of Ceremonies Ken Wayne; the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West Travis Brass; flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station SF; distinguished speakers; and the Gold Star Wreath presentation.
Date: Monday, May 26 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Place: 50 Moraga Avenue, Presidio, San Francisco CA, 94129
Cost: Free
The Presidio Officers’ Club is the backdrop for the Presidio History Exhibition, which traces the Presidio from its earliest indigenous history to its conversion from military post to national park site. Artifacts, images, and storytelling bring military service and history to life. The special exhibition Exclusion considers the Presidio’s role in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans in WWII.
The Walt Disney Family Museum and Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic
Date: Monday, May 26 (through Sept. 1) Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Place: The Walt Disney Family Museum, 104 Montgomery St., San Francisco 94129
Cost: General admission to The Walt Disney Family Museum is free year-round for active, retired, and veteran US military personnel, as well as their spouses and dependents. The museum also participates in the Blue Star Museums program, which grants free admission to US military families between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. Active-duty US military personnel and up to five family members with a valid ID can redeem complimentary main galleries admission and entry to the new special exhibition, Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic with a suggested donation of $5.
Date: Monday, May 26 Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Place: Fort Point National Historic Site, 201 Marine Drive, San Francisco, 94129 Cost: Free
Join National Park Service rangers to learn about Fort Point’s history in this 15-minute talk. The program is accessible. No reservation or registration is required.
As a National Historic Landmark District, there’s history to explore almost everywhere you look within the Presidio. Nowhere is that history more concentrated than in the center of the park at the Main Post. This itinerary includes a view on the historic Montgomery Street Barracks, once home to hundreds of enlisted men, Funston Avenue “Officers’ Row”, Chapel of Our Lady, the Presidio Officers’ Club, Pershing Square, and more.
Presidio Memorials and Monuments, Self-Guided Tour
Date: Monday, May 26 Time: All day Cost: Free
There are eight memorials and monuments in the Presidio, including the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the World War II West Coast Memorial to the Missing. Explore them on foot, or take a free Presidio Go Shuttle Around the Park Route.
Date: Monday, May 26 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Place: Main Parade Lawn and Outpost Cost: Food for purchase
Presidio Pop Up features food trucks, carts, and tents with delicious food that celebrates the Bay Area’s diverse cultures. Check here for the roster of vendors for the day, expanded for Memorial Day.
About Memorial Day in the Presidio In 1884, the U.S. established the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio for members of all military branches and their families. Large public commemorations of Memorial Day began to be held at the Presidio in 1893 when a local GAR post secured a plat in the San Francisco National Cemetery for the interment of its members. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, and the assembling of thousands of volunteer troops from around the country in San Francisco and at the Presidio, Memorial Day took on new significance, and the city’s primary public ceremonies began to be held at the Presidio. The Army, the Grand Army, and newer veteran organizations organized the annual event, and a permanent rostrum for the ceremony was constructed in 1915. 1949 marked the first year that no Civil War veteran participated in a Memorial Day observance in the San Francisco Bay area.
About the Presidio and the Presidio Trust The Presidio is one of America’s most visited national park sites, located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is the ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Spanning nearly 1,500 acres next to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio is among the most biologically diverse parks in America. It became a military post under three flags, and subsequently a national park site in 1994. Today, its facilities have been reinvented as museums, restaurants, hotels, homes, and offices. The Presidio Trust is the federal agency that stewards the Presidio, in partnership with the National Park Service and with support from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. The Trust sustains the Presidio by leasing homes and workplaces and offering visitor amenities. Learn more at presidio.gov and @presidiosf.
Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc / (415) 676-7007 /news@davidperry.com
SPARK SF Public Schools Celebrates 10th Anniversary at Asian Art Museum
May 7th “Our City, Our Schools” Gala spotlighted student talent and civic support for SFUSD
9 May 2025 – San Francisco, CA:On Wednesday, May 7, Spark SF Public Schools marked a major milestone with Our City, Our Schools—a powerful gala celebrating 10 years of impact in support of San Francisco’s public schools. The evening brought together civic leaders, educators, philanthropists, and community champions to honor a decade of partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and to launch a bold new era of investment in student success.
Held at the Asian Art Museum, the celebration spotlighted the measurable gains driven by Spark-funded initiatives and the shared belief in the power of public education to transform lives. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie joined the program on stage with an SFUSD kindergartener, speaking movingly about the city’s responsibility to support its public schools.
The evening opened at 5:30 PM with live jazz from the Lowell High School Jazz Band, and attendees were greeted by “welcome fanfare” from the Korean Immersion Program student choir from Claire Lilienthal Elementary as they ascended the staircase into Samsung Hall, the heart of the celebration.
At 6:30 PM, the formal program began with a commanding performance by the Taiko Drumming Ensemble from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. The program featured remarks from Ginny Fang, President of Spark SF Public Schools; Mark Reisbaum, Chair of the Spark Board of Trustees; Dr. Maria Su, SFUSD Superintendent; and Mayor Daniel Lurie. A moving video and student spotlights brought Spark’s mission and impact vividly to life.
The audience heard firsthand from inspiring educator-student pairs whose stories reflect the transformative power of Spark’s investments:
Erik Rice and Andres Melo Moreno, a senior at Independence High School, shared their experience with the “Mission Bay Hub” initiative.
Ainye Long, alongside Wesley Brooks III, a sophomore at Lowell High School, highlighted the “Black Star Rising” program.
Kindergarten teacher Georgina Cruz-Martinez and her student Victoria Sanchez gave the audience a glimpse into their classroom’s literacy journey through a powerful video segment.
“Do not doubt for a moment the impact you can have—in our schools, for our students,” said Ginny Fang in her remarks. “This past decade of incredible impact isn’t just Spark’s achievement—it reflects what we, as a community of business leaders, residents, parents, philanthropists, and educators, have accomplished together. Tonight, we launch the next decade together.”
Since its founding in 2015, Spark SF Public Schools has become SFUSD’s trusted philanthropic partner, mobilizing more than $140 million to advance equity, excellence, and innovation in public education. The gala’s theme, Our City, Our Schools, reflects Spark’s enduring commitment to public-private collaboration in service of San Francisco’s students.
The evening concluded with a joyful performance by Mariachi Los Osos from Mission High School—a vibrant finale that embodied the heart, talent, and promise of San Francisco’s public schools.
About SPARK SF Public Schools: Spark SF Public Schools is the official non-profit 501(c)3 organization in formal partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District to receive and mobilize philanthropic and community funds on behalf of the district, working to ensure every SFUSD student has access to an excellent public education. Spark leverages philanthropic support to pilot new ventures, propel promising ideas, and scale proven practices across the district. Spark’s work exemplifies the durable impact and collective power of public private partnerships. Learn more at www.sparksfpublicschools.org
Free community events, more fabulous food, and new parkland for play
San Francisco, CA (May 8, 2025) – Summer in San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without time spent in the city’s very own national park site, the Presidio. With the approach of longer days and glorious weekends, the Presidio is offering new destinations and activities to enjoy nature, Golden Gate views, food, and lively gatherings with friends and family.
Just Announced –Outpost Meadow Picnic Area Opens July 17!
Just in time to celebrate the three-year anniversary of Presidio Tunnel Tops, its highly anticipated extension, the Outpost Meadow picnic area, will open to the public starting July 17.
The new four-acre green gathering space is right next to the two-acre Outpost nature playground, San Francisco’s largest playground and a hugely popular destination for kids. It adds more amenities for families, including picnic tables with grills, shaded areas, bike parking, and beautiful gardens and lawn areas to gather and relax. There will also be more space nearby for Presidio Pop Up food trucks. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of San Francisco’s northern waterfront!
Free Summer Events The Presidio is excited to announce this year’s roster of (mostly) FREE summer events, bringing communities together to dance, celebrate culture, learn nature and history, eat and play. Events are co-hosted by the Partnership for the Presidio and in collaboration with many community partners. Mark your calendars!
Intertribal Dance Gathering: Dancing is Our Medicine – Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Presidio Tunnel Tops.
The Native American Health Center welcomes indigenous communities and the greater public for a day of dance, music, screen printing, and health screenings, with an arts and crafts marketplace and more. Event listing.
Memorial Day Commemoration – Monday, May 26, 10:30 a.m., San Francisco National Cemetery.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hosts the annual Memorial Day Commemoration, for the 107th year in the Presidio. Other activities honor and remember fallen service members and explore the Presidio’s military history. Event listing.
FOR-SITE Foundation presents Black Gold: Stories Untold – June 6 to November 2, Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fort Point.
In this new exhibit, fifteen artists highlight the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans who lived in California from the Gold Rush to the era of Reconstruction following the Civil War (c. 1849–1877). In partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Event listing.
Gold Cup Event: ¡Día de Fútbol! – Saturday, June 7, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Presidio Tunnel Tops.
Join engaging hosts from KDTV Univision 14 and Uforia Radio for a special community celebration of fútbol! Get ready for the 2025 Gold Cup with family fun and a surprise visit from the San Jose Earthquakes.
Parks4All Brewfest –Saturday, July 19, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Civil War Parade Ground.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy’s Parks4All Brewfest features beer tastings, lawn games, live music, and food trucks. Ticket purchases support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Civil War Parade Ground. Event listing.
Fiesta en el Parque – Sunday, August 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Presidio Tunnel Tops.
This lively event returns for a third year, featuring interactive Zumba and Salsa experiences, Latin music with DJ Alex Merino, interactive art activities and more! Event listing.
Chuseok Festival – Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Main Parade Lawn.
Join Korean Center Inc. for the 7th annual Chuseok Festival. This is the Bay Area’s largest public event celebrating Korean culture, community, and tradition. The vibrant cultural event brings bold flavors, rhythmic performances, and community connections honoring Korea’s cherished harvest holiday. Event listing
NEW Food Trucks Join Presidio Pop Up Nothing defines a summer day in the park like food, and Presidio Pop Up is expanding its rotating roster of more than 30 food trucks, carts, and tents that showcase the diverse cultures and cuisines of the Bay Area. Find them on the Main Parade Lawn, on Presidio Tunnel Tops, and starting in mid-July at the NEW Outpost Meadow picnic area at Crissy Field! Beginning Memorial Day week (May 26) 10 brand new vendors join the 21 returning vendors for the summer season.
Starting late May:
Adelitas Antojitos (Salvadoran and Mexican pupusas and tamales)
Gregoire (French sandwiches and signature potato puffs)
Los Kuyas (Mexican Filipino tacos)
Respectable Bird (Signature fried chicken)
Saltwater Bakehouse (Baked treats to eat or to go)
See the Presidio website for the weekly schedule of Presidio Pop Up vendors. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. See our website for other food options in the park.
Family Fun Enjoy a family-friendly day at the Outpost playground and the Field Station – where there’s no limit to play and discovery (for visitors of ALL ages! This summer, pick up a special seasonal Presidio Adventure Passport! Each free passport kit includes a field journal for writing notes, a deck of 18 illustrated GeoQuesting cards, and an illustrated “Adventures in the Presidio” map. This kit provides the tools to embark on a treasure hunt where you seek hidden boxes and messages placed in unique locations around the Presidio. Each hidden box holds fun facts about park history and the natural world.
Discover many other Self-Guided Adventures and Itineraries including checking out an Explorer Backpack to send you on your way.
Don’t forget to book your summer camping trip at Rob Hill Campground, April 1 to October 31. The four group campsites can welcome up to 30 people each and include fire pits, picnic tables, and are nestled in the forest above the Pacific Ocean. Rolling reservations are made monthly on Recreation.gov.
Ongoing Offerings Stop by the Presidio Visitor Center daily at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m. for an informative overview of park resources and recreational possibilities by National Park Service (NPS) Rangers. Learn about the park and its history at campfire talks at Presidio Tunnel Tops, 4 p.m. daily. Museum galleries at the Presidio Officers’ Club are open to the public for free Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m; you can uncover the rich cultural history of the Presidio and its early inhabitants and experience the special EXCLUSION exhibition. Enjoy a Fort Point National Historic Site History Talk & new exhibition every Friday through Sunday. Join hundreds of volunteers who help make the parks beautiful! See here for details.
Hours of Operation Presidio Pop Up (mobile food): Daily, weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outpost Nature Play Area: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Field Station: Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Monday and Tuesday) Presidio Visitor Center: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Presidio Officers’ Club History Galleries: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Presidio is one of America’s most visited national park sites, located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Spanning 1,500 acres next to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio is among the most biologically diverse parks in America. Historically a home to native peoples and a military post under three flags, its facilities have been reinvented as museums, restaurants, hotels, homes, and offices. The Presidio Trust is the federal agency that stewards the Presidio, in partnership with the National Park Service and with support from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. The Trust sustains the Presidio by leasing homes and workplaces and offering visitor amenities. Learn more at presidio.gov.
