Memorial Day, the commemoration of men and women lost in battle, is just around the corner. Many events are taking place to honor them; where you will find service members honoring their comrades and Gold Star families who sit in reflection as they remember that fateful day they received the news. As we stand to honor our fallen heroes, also remember their families that made the sacrifice.
The weekend is chock full of ceremonies and events honoring our heroes and making the day special for the families left behind.
Local Cemeteries & Memorial Parks
California Vietnam Vets Memorial
1255-1289 15th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Reading of the Names: May 27 @ 7:00 a.m.
The names, branches of service, and hometown of 5,673 individuals engraved on the memorial wall will be read by the Vietnam Vets of America (VVA) Chapter 500.
Oak Hill Memorial Park
300 Curtner Ave
San Jose, CA 95125
Ceremony: May 28 @ 10:00 a.m.
Service for Japanese Americans, memorial for Civil War and Spanish-American War descendants, Vietnam Veterans remembrance. On display: 3 tanks, Korean War fighter jet, WWI-era classic cars, Huey helicopter (fly and land at 11 am), veterans’ resource fair, free hot dogs.
Santa Clara Veterans Memorial (Central Park)
909 Keily Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Ceremony: May 28 @ 3:00 p.m.
Gunnery Sergeant Denny Weisgerber (Korean War Vet) is scheduled to speak, a wreath-laying ceremony and a performance by Cupertino’s Symphonic Band
Los Gatos Memorial Park
2255 Los Gatos Almaden Road
Los Gatos, Ca 95124
Ceremony: May 28 @ 11:00 a.m.
The unveiling of the bronze eagle by three Pearl Harbor survivors, a performance by the 50-piece San Jose Metropolitan Band, free coffee, donuts, hot dogs, sodas.
Mountain View Veterans Memorial
Eagle Park, 650 Franklin Street
Mountain View, CA
Ceremony: May 28 @ 11:00 a.m.
Wreath-laying ceremony, raising of the flag, laying red paper poppies
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery and Calvary Catholic Cemetery
22555 Cristo Rey Drive
Los Altos, CA 94024
Ceremony: May 28 @ 10:30 a.m.
Featuring: National Anthem, Prayer, Speeches, Lowering of the Flag, Taps, Moment of Silence, Tribute Wall, and Mass in honor of our heroes. Tributes and Masses held outdoors. Chairs and shade tents provided. Please allow time to park.
San Francisco National Cemetery
1 Lincoln Boulevard
Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94129
For information please contact Golden Gate National Cemetery (650) 589-7737
Ceremony: May 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Parade starts at 10:30 am at the Main Post. Click here for Ceremony Details
Parade, formal program, 21-gun salute, classic cars
For events in other national cemeteries, visit the National Cemetery Administration
Memorial Day Weekend Activities
May 26-28
Great America – Free Admission for all active or retired military members. Fireworks show on Sunday at 9:45 pm.
May 27
Golden Gate Park Band Concert (Music Concourse) – Admission is free. special Memorial Day musical salute at 1:00 pm
Off-the-Grid’s Picnic at the Presidio (the Main Parade Ground) – Admission is free: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cultural dance performance, 25 international food choices, music, lawn games, bike safety classes, yoga, crafts for kids.
USS San Francisco Memorial Ceremony – Admission is Free. Ceremony at 11:30 am. The USS San Francisco (CA-38) participated in almost every Pacific battle from Pearl Harbor to the end of WWII, earning 17 battle stars.
May 28
Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 45– Submarine “Lost Boat” Ceremony aboard the USS Pampanito starts at 10:00 am. Admission: the ceremony is free and open to the public. It never hurts to ask if they offer a military discount for a tour of the submarine.
USS Hornet (707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda 94501)- Memorial Day Ceremony 11:00 am, followed by a wreath toss off the Fantail. Tours are available: $20 for adults, $15 for adults with Military I.D., and $10 for youth age 7-17 (age 6 and under are free with paying adult). Free for veterans.
Non-VA Local Help
Know A Vet? presents this information and these national resource directories, not as a recommendation of any specific service or provider, but as a starting point for your own research.
Please feel free to use the check sheets Before, During and After the Medical Appointment and Choosing a Medical Service Provider to help you in your search for the best help for your individual circumstances.
In addition, there may be other federal, state and local government or private resources for your individual needs.
VA, Government and Organization Help
Know A Vet? presents this information and these national resource directories, not as a recommendation of any specific service or provider, but as a starting point for your own research.
Clicking here will bring you to a database of other VA services you can locate by zip code.
Please also check out our page on Filing Claims. We recommend that you do NOT file claims on your own. If you do not file exactly the way the VA looks for information, it can take literally years for your claim to go back and forth before approval or denial.
The other resources listed, such as your local Veterans Service Office (names vary by county), VSO counseloror, VFW, etc., will help you determine what you are eligible for and file correctly for results in as little as a few weeks.
