Memorial Weekend has lots of choices to honor Americans lost to war

Yahoo

22-05-2025

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is the most solemn of U.S. military holidays because it honors the men and women who lost their lives in service to their country.
It is their memory, their sacrifice, that Americans take to heart on this long holiday weekend.
Dick Taylor, a U.S. Marine veteran who has for years helped organize Memorial Day events in Bakersfield, is serious about making sure his fellow Americans understand the depth of feeling and emotion many veterans and non-veterans experience on that day.
"Each of us, as Americans, has a responsibility to help educate young people, and some not so young, as to the impact those sacrifices had on our very existence as a nation," Taylor said. "Their destiny was to go up against countries who wished harm to the United States and more specifically, them personally.
"We honor their dedicated sacrifice to the country," he said, "and their role was pivotal."
Put yourself in their boots, he said. Imagine for a moment the fear and uncertainty of going into battle, knowing that many would not be coming home.
Bakersfield National Cemetery
Kern County's only national cemetery, nestled in the oak-dotted hills of the Tehachapi Mountains, will host an event at 9 a.m. Saturday at 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., said Taylor, who is president of the cemetery's support committee.
Guest speakers for the event include George "Rocky" Gillette of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency; U.S. Rep. Vince Fong; Kern County 2nd District Supervisor Chris Parlier; Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh; and others. Additional elements scheduled for the ceremony include a Kern County Fire Department helicopter flyover and Garrison Flag flown from the mast of a fire engine, an honor guard provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Sons of the American Revolution, and music provided by the Bakersfield High School Orchestra.
Handicap-accessible parking is available at the cemetery but is extremely limited. Also note that an ASL interpreter will be on site for the hearing impaired.
Due to the expected large crowd, patrons are encouraged to plan to arrive early and be in their seats by 8:45 a.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour.
Volunteer opportunities are available for flag holder placement at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22; and additionally for flag holder and flag holder removal at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27.
Also note that after the ceremony on Saturday, volunteers from the community will mark more than 10,000 gravesites at the cemetery with U.S. flags to honor the men and women who served the nation. Family members who wish to place a flag on their loved one's gravesite themselves are asked to do so prior to the ceremony — between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.
For further information about the event, contact the cemetery office at 661-867-2250.
Historic Union Cemetery
Bakersfield's oldest cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, at the memorial park, 730 Potomac Ave. in east Bakersfield.
The morning is to include welcoming remarks from Cemetery Manager Griselda Hurtado and several guest speakers, including Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, Kern County 5th District Supervisor Leticia Perez, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, and County Veterans Service Officer Jose Lopez.
A Garrison Flag will be provided by the Kern County Fire Department on one of its fire engines. Expect a presentation of colors by the Arvin High School Army JROTC, singing of the national anthem, special presentation by Sons of the American Revolution, and taps.
Community members and youth groups are invited to help by placing American flags on several thousand veterans' gravesites at 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, and retrieving the flags at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. For additional information, contact the cemetery office at 661-324-9648.
Thousand Flags
There's nothing like the sight of a thousand flags waving in the afternoon breeze at The Park at River Walk in southwest Bakersfield.
It is a feeling many remember with awe and amazement.
But in early November, when thieves made off with a trailer containing all 1,000-plus American flags, poles and support structures, some wondered if the red, white and blue extravaganza was done.
Short answer: It wasn't. The flags were recovered about 10 days later, and this year's Thousand Flags celebration and commemoration remains on track to continue over the entire three-day weekend, said Denise Haynes, event director for the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club's annual effort.
"This year we've added a free concert in the park, not the amphitheater," she said. "It will feature family-friendly, patriotic music."
Volunteers make this event possible, and this year, Blue Zones Project Bakersfield is joining with Rotary to recruit volunteers to help set up and tear down.
According to BZP, volunteers for the set-up crew are asked to meet at the park at 8 a.m. Saturday, although Haynes said many Rotary volunteers are getting there at 7 a.m.
The tear-down crew will help respectfully retire the display after the event. Tear-down is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Opening ceremonies will happen at noon Saturday. The free concert Haynes mentioned is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring a beer garden and a barbecue. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, Haynes said.
On Sunday, the flag raising at the big flag pole kicks off at 7:45 a.m. A 5K/1-mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m.
On Monday, Memorial Day, the ceremonial flag raising begins at 9 a.m. Look for a ceremony with speaker and an awards presentation.
This is the day when the more than 1 million American soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who died in service to their country are recognized and honored.
Memorial Day at Camp Hamilton
It's an oasis of sorts surrounded by the farm fields east of Shafter.
And on Monday, Memorial Day, Camp Hamilton plans to dedicate new trees to lost servicemembers.
Organizers will hold a remembrance ceremony, followed by a barbecue lunch.
Gates open at noon, the ceremony begins at 2 p.m., and attendance is free.
Camp Hamilton, 34999 Lerdo Highway, is a veterans memorial park dedicated to preserving the names and stories of those who served. Each tree is planted and named for a veteran. Friends and family who dedicate a tree visit the park to remember and honor their service member.