Memorial Day in Sacramento #1

[DelB]

Sunday started out great. The sun was shining, the wind was not blowing and traffic was light. This was my first trip using my Zumo 550. It wasn't really necessary because I grew up just outside of Sacramento in Rancho Cordova. In school, we had numerous field trips to the capitol grounds, but the memorial is fairly new. Parking was close and easy to find.

Looking up the Mall from near I-5

California Capitol Building

Capitol Park and the Veterans Memorial is around back. Roses abound.

The Memorial is circular with openings allowing access to the inside bronze figures.

With a figure in the middle

Outside, the quarter circles have the names of the fallen.

[DelB]

I arrived while they were sill reading the names of the fallen. The ceremony was due to begin at 12 noon and people were finding seats and grouping up.

The ceremony started off with a prayer and then speakers telling stories and thanking all those that served.

Presentation of Colors

Steve Brooks saw my Tour Of Honor shirt and came over to talk.

Our illustrious leader

There was an interesting speaker, a nurse from Viet Nam era military. It was easy to tell she had some gripes about the VA medical services supplied to our troops.

Here' the MIA/POW table. Each item in the picture represents something a MIA/POW does not have.

There was also a Bronze Star presentation, only 42 years late. Douglas Haney received his Bronze Star for his actions while serving as a Combat Medic during the Viet Nam War.

The presentation of multiple wreaths.

The playing of Taps. While talking with the bugler, I discovered that the instrument is a prop with an amplified recording inside.

It was a good day.

[100cccer]

The playing of Taps. While talking with the bugler, I discovered that the instrument is a prop with an amplified recording inside.

It was a good day.

Yes, it was a good day. Now about the playing of Taps... Next you'll be saying they didn't use real bullets in the 21-gun salute.

[MatthewHogan]

Thanks for sharing guys.