Memorial Day events in the Central Valley: Here’s where you can observe the holiday
The Central Valley has plans this Memorial Day to honor fallen United States military personnel through commemorative events that include military displays, tossing of flowers, music and more.
Events in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties will be hosted by Veterans of Foreign War, the American Legion and others Monday, May 29.
Here’s a list of events in the area, including one big annual event that’s canceled and why:
Modesto Memorial Day events
Members of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 3199 will conduct their annual tossing of flowers from the Lion Bridge on Seventh Street into the Tuolumne River at 9 a.m. Monday. The commemoration will also include a 21-gun salute and honor guard, according to the Facebook page.
A ceremony will be held by the Korean War Veteran Chapter 316 Monday at 11 a.m. at the Stanislaus Veterans Center. The center is at 3500 Coffee Road, Suite 15. The ceremony will be followed by a free meal for all veterans; the meal is $12 for others at the door.
Riverbank Memorial Day events
An event will take place at the Riverbank Community Center’s Veterans Wall from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday, according to the city of Riverbank. The community center is at 3600 Santa Fe St.
Turlock Memorial Day events
A Memorial Day program hosted by American Legion Rex Ish Post 88 will be held at Turlock Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Monday. The park is at 575 N. Soderquist Road.
Hughson Memorial Day event
A ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Lakewood Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 900 Santa Fe Ave. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs or blankets.
Manteca Memorial Day event canceled
The annual Not Forgotten Memorial Day Commemoration has been canceled indefinitely, according to the event’s website.
“After 15 stress filled, but wonderful, fulfilling years, we simply are unable to continue,” wrote Michael Dillman, president and founder of the event.
The free event included 7,000 crosses representing fallen service members, military helicopter landings, a USO show, military displays, a kids play zone, fireworks, a Gold Star Family reception, the eighth annual Wounded Warrior 5k run/walk and more, according to previous Bee reporting.
It was one of the largest Memorial Weekend events on the West Coast, according to the website.
“We are now in the process of putting together a new project in order to encourage all to continue to remember the fallen,” Dillman wrote. “We are going to focus on the 62 men who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom from the city of Manteca, dating back to World War I.”
Santa Nella Memorial Day event
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. The cemetery is at 32053 W. McCabe Road.
California State Parks free entry
The California Department of Parks and Recreation is offering free admission to 130 participating California State Parks on Monday for veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel.
A valid military ID, or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct, is required to receive free admission.
The list of participating parks can be found on the department’s website.
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