By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Each Memorial Day, Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights honors those that gave their lives in the defense of their country. This year’s ceremony will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019, at Sylvan Cemetery, 7401 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.
The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a march through the historical section of the Sylvan Cemetery, stopping briefly at each flag station to read a prayer and salute the flag. The march concludes at the gazebo where there will be a one-hour ceremony from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
March participants will include members of the Citrus Heights American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Sons of the American Revolution, Boys Scout Troop 228, officers of the Citrus Heights Police Department and all others that may wish to march.
Many of the men marching will be in uniform – past and present – from American Revolution to modern day. The march typically lasts about 30 minutes.
Memorial Day, not to be confused with Veterans Day, is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War in 1868 to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. The end of May seemed to be appropriate since many spring flowers are available.
Memorial Day has since been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars in the past 240 years.
