74th Annual Fullerton Memorial Day Observance

Description

The U.S. Navy will be the focus of a special salute Monday, May 28, at the 74th Annual Fullerton Memorial Day Observance.

The program, which will begin at 10 a.m., will be held at Loma Vista Memorial Park.  Free to the public, the program is sponsored by the nonprofit American Veterans Memorial Association and the City of Fullerton.

Loma Vista Memorial Park is located at 701 E. Bastanchury Road, east of Harbor Boulevard.

Special guest speaker will be Capt. Scott Adams, commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Base at Point Loma.

Adams will arrive at the ceremony aboard an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter.  Once the helicopter lands, he will be escorted to the podium by JROTC cadets from Fullerton Union and Troy high schools.

The oldest continuous Memorial Day ceremony in North Orange County, Fullerton's program began in 1939 when C. Stanley Chapman, son of the city's first mayor, began the tradition of placing a small white cross and an American flag at the grave of each veteran at Loma Vista.

This year, community volunteers will place a cross or Star of David and a flag on more than 3,800 veterans’ graves throughout the cemetery.

Sharing the Memorial Day podium with Adams will be Ed Paul, coordinator of the American Veterans Memorial Association and adjutant of Fullerton American Legion Post 142, who will serve as master of ceremonies.

Patriotic music will be sung by Dave Deno, creative director for radio stations KKLA, KRLA and KFSH, and Kristen Romero.  Officers from the Fullerton Police Department will present the gun salute, and “Taps” and “Echo” will be played.

Members of the G Company, 2^nd Battalion, 23^rd Marines, of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station will assist with the wreath-laying ceremony.

Participating in the observance will be the Fullerton Firefighters' Association, the Fullerton Police Color Guard, the Fullerton Union High School Army JROTC, Troy High Navy JROTC, Boy Scouts of America Troop 97, Cub Scout Pack 1218, Fullerton American Legion Post 142 and the Post’s Commanders Club, the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, and the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Also assisting with the program will be the Fullerton Emblem Club 469, Fullerton Rotary, Fullerton Saturday A.M. Y’s Mens Club, Fullerton Elks Lodge 1993, the Daughters of the American Revolution – Mojave Chapter, Buena Park Emblem Club 340, GFWC Ebell Clubs of Fullerton and Placentia, Placentia American Legion Auxiliary Unit 277, Womens Club of Fullerton, Fullerton Knights of Columbus Council 4018, and Greenleaf Gardens Masonic Lodge 670.

Further information about the Memorial Day observance may be obtained by calling the American Legion at (714) 871-2412.

Persons requiring special accommodations to attend the ceremony are asked to call Loma Vista Memorial Park at (714) 525-1575 prior to May 28.