Memorial Day celebrations, events

Memorial ceremony at Forest Lawn

Memorial ceremony at Forest Lawn

Forest Lawn Cypress – Forecourt of The Ascension Mosaic

Monday, 10 a.m.

The Forest Lawn celebration will include several musical presentations by the Cypress High Band, notably, “The Star Spangled Banner,” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

There will also be presentations by several local dignitaries and armed services members and veterans. Commander Carl Milock, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #9847 will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Posts from Cypress and Los Alamitos will also be part of the program.

A Rifle Salute by American Legion, Post #295, 82nd Airborne Division Association and the playing of “Taps” by the Cypress High School Band, will close out the event

Queen Mary Salutes U.S. Military Personnel

The Queen Mary will offer FREE admission to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show.

When: Memorial Day Monday, 10 am – 6 pm

Where: Queen Mary, 1126 Queen’s Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cost: Free for retired and active military with ID, regular price for all others

Parking: $12

Info: www.queenmary.com

Check out my Queen Mary Visitors Guide.

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival

Four-day festival celebrating everything to do with the humble strawberry. Carnival rides, pageants, Strawberry Idol karaoke contest, Red-Head Roundup Contest, Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant, and, of course, a strawberry-themed parade on Saturday.

When: Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday

Where: The Festival is held at the Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, CA

Info: www.strawberryfestival.org, 714-638-0981

Memorial Day services at WWII Submarine Memorial, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach

The United States National Submarine Memorial West, located at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, will be the site of annual public Memorial Day services Monday, May 28.

The 11 a.m. observance will include the unique “tolling the boats” ceremony, during which the name of each of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II is read aloud, along with the fate of each crew, as a bell is tolled.  The guest speaker will be Commander Eric L. Severseike, Commanding Officer of the attack submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711).

The free event will be open to the public and is hosted by the Los Angeles Area “Diesel Boaters” Chapter of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, and the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.   No advance reservations are needed.

The submarine memorial is located aboard the naval weapons station at 800 Seal Beach Boulevard, between Westminster Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, in the City of Seal Beach.

For more information contact the Naval Weapons Station Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Gregg Smith, at 562-626-7215.  More information about the National Submarine Memorial site is also available online at www.cnic.navy.mil/SealBeach/index.htm.

Memorial Day Program and Service

Monday, 1 p.m.

Eisenhower Park, Seal Beach

Guest Speakers

  • Major Andrew C Roberts, United States Marine Corps
  • Congressman Dana Rohrabacher

Memorial Service

Reading of the VFW and American Legion members who have passed

  • Senior Vice Commanders
  • Junior Vice Commanders
  • Officers of the Day
  • Ladies Auxiliary
  • Commander

Taps – Bugler Talon Werner from Scout Troop 558