By Sara Beth Williams–
Sylvan Cemetery saw the highest attendance in five years at its annual Memorial Day ceremony held on Monday, according to Jr. Past Commander Paul Reyes with American Legion Post 637.
Reyes reported that an estimated 150 people were in attendance, including veterans, families, Citrus Heights city councilmembers, city staff, police officers, and many more. Reyes said attendees also included a group of veteran bikers called the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The group had come on their own to the cemetery to pay tribute to one of their own and accepted a personal invitation from Reyes to join the day’s ceremony.
Members of the Folsom Harmony Express Choir sang as veterans in attendance stood for each branch of the armed forces as their anthem was sung. A bagpiper in traditional garb also played several songs. Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte spoke on the meaning behind Memorial Day, while Citrus Heights Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa spoke on the meaning of sacrifice and courage.
“It’s not ‘Happy Memorial Day,’ it’s ‘God bless the fallen, God bless the families, and God bless America,” Turcotte said during his speech.
Jim Monteton spoke on the origins of Memorial Day, acknowledging those killed in action, and also acknowledged those missing in action. At least 4,000 service members are considered still missing in action, but the number has begun to decrease lately as more service members’ remains are discovered and identified, Monteton said.
There was some confusion over the start time, with the American Legion Post 637 posting on their website that the ceremony was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., while the city reportedly indicated the ceremony would begin at 10:30, and the Sylvan Cemetery reported that ‘nothing had changed.’ The ceremony historically has commenced at 11 a.m. every year, according to Monteton. Reyes said the ceremony this year officially began around 10:50 a.m.
On the Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend, at least 15 volunteers met at the cemetery to place American flags and white crosses on the gravestones of all veterans, an annual tradition that takes place each year prior to the Memorial Day ceremony.
