On Veterans Day, people will gather at Grgich Hills Estate in tribute to a distinguished American Veteran, Deacon Bob Little of St. Helena Church, who passed away Aug. 28.

Participants will gather at the winery's Roots of Peace Penny Fountain to kick off the annual penny campaign, which so far has raised 30 million pennies to remove landmines and provide educational opportunities for children in Afghanistan, Angola, Croatia and Iraq.

The event begins at 10 a.m., Nov. 11 at Grgich Hills Estate, 1829 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford.

Known as "Deacon Bob," he served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, Panama and Eastern Saudi Arabia, and achieved the rank of major major. He also performed as military bugler for funerals of fallen soldiers. His daughter, Becky Little, will represent the family at the event and "Taps" will be played on Deacon Bob's bugle to commemorate the American soldiers who have been maimed or killed by landmines worldwide.

Deacon Bob was a regular donor to the Roots of Peace Penny Campaign following the launch at Lymon Park in Napa Valley in 2007. As a Vietnam veteran, Deacon Bob Little realized the importance of removing an estimated 3.5 million landmines and UXO, which remain in Vietnam today.

Penny by penny, the Grgich Hills Fountain serves as a "wishing well" alongside the Peace Pole written in eight languages, "May Peace Prevail on Earth."

Croatian-born Miljenko "Mike" Grgich knows the effect of landmines in his home country and has been a long-time supporter of the Roots of Peace's mission to transform change toxic minefields landmines to prosperous vineyards worldwide.

"Veterans' Day is a fitting day to acknowledge the humanitarian impact of landmines, as there are an estimated 70 million landmines silently poised in 70 countries — over half the victims are children," said Shirley Dean, chairwoman of the Roots of Peace Napa Valley Penny Campaign for the past several years.

Deacon Bob always had pennies in his pocket, according to his daughter, Becky Little, and he would always give them to the down-trodden with a simple wish for "God speed."