Memorial Day events planned around Merced County
Service members who have died will be honored in events across Merced County over the holiday weekend.
Merced Cemetery is inviting volunteers to meet at the memorial park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to place crosses and flags on the graves of all service members. Volunteers will be offered coffee with doughnuts in the morning, and pizza after the placements are completed.
The public is welcome to visit Merced Cemetery for its Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday. A free lunch will be served to all visitors.
Castle Air Museum will celebrate Open Cockpit Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dozens of vintage military aircraft will be open for viewing. The event also will feature law enforcement K-9 demonstrations; California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Merced County, firefighters; classic rock music; helicopter rides; and children’s activities. Adult admission is $14 per person, $8 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6 to 17. Admission for children 5 and younger and military members is free.
Los Banos American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2467 are observing Memorial Day through several events across town. Ceremonies will be held Sunday at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 W. McCabe Road, Santa Nella; and Monday at Los Banos District Cemetery, 16675 S. Center Ave.
On Sunday, a wreath presentation at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery will commemorate the sacrifice of service members who have died. The program starts at 10 a.m. with master of ceremonies 1st Sgt. Bryan Campbell of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Other speakers include Rep. Jim Costa and Roger Duke from the Modesto VFW and veterans center.
Also participating in the ceremony will be the Vietnam Helicopters Museum, Santa Cruz Mobile Vet Center, Merced County Veterans Services Office and the SJVNC Patriotic Tractor & Float.
On Memorial Day, a ceremony will start 9:30 a.m. at the Los Banos District Cemetery.
Residents and businesses are urged to post flags on Memorial Day.
Yosemite National Park is open throughout the holiday weekend, but travelers are advised to anticipate heavy traffic, as it is one of the busiest times for visitors.
Government offices will be closed Monday, as will schools, post offices, libraries and banks. Waste collection services will be on one-day delays after Monday for incorporated areas of Merced County; unincorporated areas will continue with normal collection schedules.
This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Memorial Day events planned around Merced County."