13-05-2025
Several Lodi-area Memorial Day events to honor fallen soldiers
May 13—The end of May is just around the corner, and a handful of organizations and businesses will be hosting events to honor the nation's fallen soldiers of Memorial Day.
The largest event scheduled is the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. on May 26 at 14165 Beckman Road.
The service is free and open to the public, and will feature Dr. Charles R. Roots as guest speaker once again.
A captain with the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps, and a retired pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Ripon, Roots began his military career as a U.S. Marine in 1969.
He served nine years, and was commissioned as a Navy chaplain in 1983, then returned to active duty in 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His last duty assignment was the Wing Chaplain for the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans.
Roots retired in September of 2008 after 34 years of service.
The event will also feature several flag tributes, including the 68th Annual Avenue of Flags, where some 1,044 large veteran flags will be flown over the park. More than 8,439 small American flags will also mark burial sites.
In addition, Killed in Action flags will mark 40 burial sites and the Field of Flags will honor 7,057 combat veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Walk of Valor Flag Tribute will honor 43 local combat veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as well.
For more information, visit
Lodi Blooms, 11560 N. Lower Sacramento Road, will hos its Memorial Day 5K: A Run Through the Rows at 6 a.m. on Memorial Day.
Set against the backdrop of peak cherry season, this unique farm run invites runners to lace up their shoes and dash through the orchard rows consisting of about five loops.
Registration is $35 and limited to 200 participants.
There will be post-race refreshments and cherry treats, as well as complementary Lodi Blooms cherry tasting and u-pick access.
Race check-in begins at 5:30 a.m. and the race starts at 6 a.m. The cherry orchard will be open to pickers at 7 a.m.
Proceeds will support the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau and its local youth and ag education programs.
For more information, visit
Lodi's American Legion Post 22 will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Lodi Memorial Cemetery on East Pine Street at 9 a.m.
The event will feature the Legion's Color Guard, a bagpipe medley, the laying of wreaths, live music performed by the Lodi Community Band, an Honor Guard gun salute, a release of doves, and the Missing Man "fly by."
Refreshments will be provided following the service. The entire community is invited and welcome to attend.
The Elk Grove Cemetery District and Cosumnes CSD will host the Memorial Day Ceremony & Walk for Veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elk Grove Historic Cemetery, 8540 Elk Grove Blvd.
Attendees will walk to the Elk Grove Historical Society parking lot for a community barbecue. Shuttle service will be provided by Cosumnes CSD. The event is free and open to the public.
