‘We honor those who fought and died': 4 Memorial Day events in San Joaquin County
U.S. military members who died in the line of duty will be honored and remembered in Stockton and throughout San Joaquin County on Memorial Day.
According to USA Today, the federal holiday history dates back to the Civil War and was originally called Decoration Day. Congress declared it a national holiday in 1971, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Memorial Day is one of 11 federal holidays recognized in the U.S. It is always observed on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26.
Memorial Day is also the unofficial start to the summer season, according to USA Today. The holiday honors U.S. military members who died while serving in current or past wars. Veterans Day, observed in November, honors all who have served in the military.
In Stockton and across San Joaquin County, Memorial Day ceremonies will be held to honor those who died while serving.
Here are four Memorial Day events not to miss in the county.
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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Luneta Post 52, the city of Stockton, American Legion Posts 16 and 803, and AMVETS will host the annual Memorial Day ceremony in downtown Stockton.
The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 26, at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium main hall, 513 N. Center Street. The event is free and open to the community.
Location: Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, 513 N. Center St. in Stockton
Hours: 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, May 26
Information: visitstockton.org
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The Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home will honor those who died with a service.
"Each year on Memorial Day, we honor those who fought and died for the freedoms we hold so dear as Americans," the Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home website states. "On this day of recognition, we also salute our deceased veterans, those who are still with us, as well as those who are actively serving in the Armed Services today."
The service begins at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, May 26 at 14165 Beckman Road in Lodi. It is open to the public.
There will be four flag tributes. These include:
Marking of the burial sites of veterans at Cherokee Memorial Park for the 68th Annual Avenue of Flags with 1,044 large Veterans flags flown and over 8,439 small American flags.
Marking burial sites of 40 war heroes at Cherokee Memorial Park with Killed in Action flags.
The Field of Flags, in memory of 7,057 combat veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Walk of Valor flag tribute, which will honor 43 local combat veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Charles R. Roots of the United States Marine Corps will be the guest speaker for the event, and soloist Deborah Del Mastro will sing the national anthem. There will also be special presentations by the Stockton Portsmen Singers, an Armed Forces medley tribute, and patriotic songs.
Location: Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 14165 Beckman Road in Lodi
Hours: 10:45 a.m. on Monday, May 26
Information: cherokeememorial.com
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A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at Park View Cemetery & Funeral Home in Manteca on Monday.
This event is also hosted by VFW Luneta Post 52 and sponsored by the Park View Cemetery & Funeral Home. Patriotic songs, readings and refreshments will be part of the celebration, according to a flyer.
Location: Park View Cemetery & Funeral Home, 3661 French Camp Road in Manteca
Hours: 11 a.m. Monday, May 26
Information: facebook.com/ParkViewCemetery
At 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, organizers will place more than 2,000 flags on veterans' graves at Tracy Public Cemetery. Help is needed, according to Vaughn Gates, administrator for the James McDermott American Legion Post 172, Tracy, CA public Facebook group. Doughnuts and beverages will be provided for participants.
At 7 a.m. on Monday, May 26, help will be needed to set up chairs and place flags on the Tracy Public Cemetery driveways before the annual Tracy Memorial Day ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. The cemetery is located at 501 W. Schulte Road in Tracy.
"This is a time for our community to unite to remember and honor our fallen heroes. We look forward to your presence at this critical event," Gates wrote on the Facebook post. "After these ceremonies, we will gather at the Tracy War Memorial, located on E. 9th Street next to the Tracy Community Center, to honor the fallen war heroes of Tracy. Once this ceremony is over, the Tracy VFW Auxiliary will host a refreshment session at the Tracy Senior Center, providing a moment of respite and reflection for all."
At 5 p.m., the takedown of American flags will begin at Tracy Public Cemetery.
Location: Tracy Public Cemetery, 501 W. Schulte Road in Tracy
Hours: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26
Information: facebook.com/groups
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: San Joaquin County Memorial Day events honor fallen military members
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