Memorial Day 2004

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE 2004

"SOME SACRIFICED......SOME SACRIFICED THEIR ALL"

LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO HONOR THEM ALL
AT THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2004 AT NOON*
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO AROUND THE CAPITOL
*Assemble:  10:30AM Reviewing Stand Ceremony 11:30am
The Ceremony will be signed for the Hearing Impaired

 

Following is a list of some of the activities that we know about for the Memorial Day weekend:

Friday - May 28 - Boy Scouts and VAC place flags on Veterans graves at the City Cemetery at Riverside and Broadway - 5:30PM. If you'd like to help or need more information, call Doc Kauffman at 359-5224.

Saturday - May 29 - Memorial Ceremony at the City Cemetery, Riverside and Broadway, 10:00AM. Call Doc Kauffman at 359-5224 for more information.

Saturday - May 29 - Congressman Doug Ose is providing a live feed of the Dedication of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. for those Veterans who could not go to D.C. Location is San Juan High School, 7551 Greenback Ln., Citrus Heights. The doors open at 8:30AM with refreshments, entertainment and the live feed. The event will last until approximately 1PM. Congressman Ose will attend. At the same event, a U.S. Post Office representative will be unveiling the first day issues of the new WWII stamp. Call Terri Brewster at 489-3684 for more information and to RSVP for attendance.

Saturday, May 29 - "A Tribute to CA Latino Veterans" - Takes place at the Mexican-American Memorial located on 10 St. across from the West side of the Capitol. Time is 1PM, free food will be served. Brig. Gen. Robert Cervantes will speak. Call Phil Rios for information at 310-6586.

Sunday, May 30 - Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 500 will host the 5th Annual "Reading of the Names". Reading of the names of the 5800+ CA Veterans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War begins at 7AM. A Memorial Ceremony takes place at noon. Brig. General Ezell Ware, Jr. will be the keynote speaker. Dave Bender from Channel 13 will be the Master of Ceremonies. There are still times available for Readers. Please call Mary Lou at 481-6020 to read or for more information.

Monday - May 31st - Memorial Day - The Special Events Committee of the Jazz Festival will be having a ceremony at 10AM at the Convention Center just before the Parade. The theme for this year will be "A Salute to WWII Veterans". The keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Edwin Price Ramsey who led the final US Calvary Charge in the Philippines. WWII era patriotic and jazz music will be played. Mike Boyd, formerly of KCRA will be the Master of Ceremonies and retired Military Chaplain Major General James Ward from VFW Post 6604 will provide the Memorial Prayer and comments.

Monday, May 31st, Memorial Day - The Veterans Affiliated Council hosts the Memorial Day Parade around the Capitol. Assembly begins at 10:30AM, Memorial Ceremony begins at 11:30AM at the Review Stand located on the West side of the Capitol along 10th St. The VAC is honored this year to have MG Thomas W. Eres, Commander of the CA National Guard as the State Grand Marshall and Sacramento City Mayor Heather Fargo as the City Grand Marshall. For VVA members who cannot walk the parade route, we will have a float for you to ride on. Our lovely Diana Titus will be doing double duty by singing the National Anthem for the Ceremony and then performing from our float. For more information, call Mary Lou at 481-6020.

Monday, May 31st, Memorial Day - East Lawn Memorial Park at 43rd and Folsom will be holding their Memorial Day Ceremony at 11AM. Call Alan Fisher at 732-2000.

There are many more events in your local communities. Check your local papers.

And....don't forget, after the Parade, traditions calls for veterans, families and friends to gather at the Bunker, "The Torch Club", on 15th across from the old Veterans Memorial Hall to meet and greet old and new friends.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Shake a Veteran's hand, thank a Veteran for serving, and take a moment to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for you and our country.
 

  with your suggestions or to volunteer.