Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of summer but its primary purpose is not signaling the great vacation period but remembering those who paid the ultimate price during times of war.

Ceres will be remembering those sacrifices during a Memorial Day celebration at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25.

The event will feature speakers Vice Mayor Bret Durossette and Ceres Chief of Police Brent Smith, Channce Condit representing Assemblyman Adam Gray, Shep Shepherd CDF bag piper Shannon Colvahouse and a 21-gun salute. Folding of flag, taps, roll call of fallen, benediction.

The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will be held near the cannon.

The ceremony is being conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post 10293 in Ceres.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the Civil War to commemorate the soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.