Mission Viejo to commemorate Memorial Day May 29

The City will pay homage to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during its Memorial Day ceremony at 8:30 am on Monday, May 29 in The Kershaw Garden at 200 Civic Center. 

The ceremony will include guest speakers Colonel Matthew Lundgren, Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division; and Robert V. “Bobby” McDonald, United States Navy, Retired, Vietnam veteran along with a color guard, rifle salute, live vocal performance and taps. In addition, the City created an eternal flame of remembrance and will light the flame at the beginning of the ceremony. Folks will receive a candle at the end of the ceremony and are encouraged to place it around the eternal flame memorial in remembrance of a fallen hero.

As with year's past, the American Heroes Tribute Banners honoring veterans who have lost their lives in combat will be displayed throughout the Civic Center walkway and The Kershaw Garden. The 3-foot by 9-foot banners honor American soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The banners will be on display mid-May through June 2. 

The event - as part of the City’s SNAP initiative (Special Needs Adaptive Programming) - will have increased handicapped parking; seating accommodations for people with physical limitations; and the ability to watch the live broadcast on Cox Channel 30 and AT&T Channel 99. Sign language interpretation for the hearing-impaired is also planned.

Coffee and light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. For more information and requests for seating accommodations, call 949-470-3061.