The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the summer vacation season and provides threes from work but veterans and other patriots consider it a sacred time of reflection. To that end, there are a number of services planned for the weekend of May 25-27.

A Memorial Day service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Ceres Memorial Park which will include the presentation of colors, short presentations from local dignitaries, a rifle salute in honor of our fallen heroes, the singing of the National Anthem, and playing of taps.

The Ceres Post of the American Legion invites the public to assist in planting the American flags at the cemetery starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 and then retiring the flags at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

For more information, contact Ceres American Legion Post 491 by calling (925) 658-0087 or emailing cerespost491@gmail.com.

Also on Monday, May 27 will be a 9 a.m. wreath ceremony at the Seventh Street Bridge with honor guard, gun salute and taps.

Assemblyman Juan Alanis is scheduled to speak at the 11 a.m. service at Acacia Memorial Park, 801 Scenic Drive in Modesto.

Memorial Day will also include a 1 p.m. service at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Avenue in Hughson.

Santa Nella service

At 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery will host a solemn Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by speeches, a moment of silence, and the playing of taps and a rifle volley.

The public is welcome to attend. Keynote speakers will include Congressman John Duarte and state Senator Anna Caballero and guest speakers Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria; and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Smith.