Six area services are set to honor American troops

In remembrance of all American soldiers who have served their country, six Memorial Day services will be held in the area on Monday.

The first one will be held at 9 a.m. at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, East Pine Street at Guild Avenue. Guest speakers will be former Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi, and George Leonardini and Greg Hartman, two soldiers who have just returned from Iraq. Musical selections will be sung by Matt Roche. A wreath-laying ceremony will be held with the Lodi American Legion Post 22, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, and Pearl Harbor survivor Joe Richter.

Following the ceremony, pancakes and refreshments will be served.

Other events include:

Lodi

10:30 a.m., Cherokee Memorial Park, Harney Lane east of Highway 99, Lodi. The U.S. Marine Corps from Lathrop will do a presentation of the colors. Ric Camero will sing the National Anthem, and the Boy Scout Troop No. 199 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The speaker will be Sgt. 1st Class Christian Carpenter, of the California Army National Guard 184th Infantry Regiment. After the benediction by Pastor Brent Brusett, of English Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church, the U.S. Marine Corps will do a 21-gun salute. "Taps" will then be played, followed by closing remarks and Wings of Love, a dove release.

The cemetery will also serve as a collection site for care packages for the troops. Those wishing to contribute may bring suitable items Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a complete list of items needed, visit www.cherokeememorial.com.

Woodbridge

Noon: Free lunch for veterans hosted by the Lodi Elks Lodge at the lodge building, 19071 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Woodbridge.

1:30 p.m. at Masonic Cemetery on Lower Sacramento Road, north of Turner Road, Woodbridge. Memorial flags courtesy of the Masonic Lodge will be placed by Boy Scout Troop No. 291. The Marine Color Guard will do a presentation of the colors. The Lodi Community Band will provide musical selections and the speaker will be LaVor Thompson, of Elks Lodge No. 1900. A remembrance will be held for all who served in wars from World War I to Iraq. Wreaths will be laid by Lodi American Legion Post No. 22 and the Auxiliary, the Delta Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Lodi Chapter No. 59 of the Disabled American Veterans, Lodi Elks Lodge No. 1900 and the Lodi Emblem Club. Lodi Community Band and the Marine Color Guard will close the ceremony with "Taps" and a rifle volley.

Clements

9 a.m., Glenview Cemetery, Mackville Road north of Highway 88. The ceremony will be conducted by the VFW Post 9009 and will include the Honor Guard, a history of the cemetery and a short speech by Bill Pfeiffle, the post commander.

Galt

10 a.m., Galt Cemetery, 14180 Joy Drive, north of Kost Road. A special presentation of the ceremony will be the burning of old flags by the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Mayor Randy Shelton will be the speaker, and the welcoming speech will be presented by Charles Marshall, post commander of the former Galt VFW. Members of the former VFW will give a 21-gun salute, and the Knights of Columbus will do the presentation of the colors. Boy Scout Troop 28 will assist with the raising of the flag.

Lockeford

11 a.m., Harmony Grove Cemetery, Locke and Tretheway roads. The ceremony will be conducted by the Lockeford VFW Post 9009 and will include the Honor Guard, a history of the cemetery, the Knights of Columbus and a short speech by Bill Pfeiffle.

Reader Feedback

weezer wrote on May 23, 2009 6:42 PM:

" Say a prayer for our men in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
And thank them whenever possible. "

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