In the wake of the Civil War (1861-1865) the heavy loss of
life weighed upon the American psyche. In the aftermath of that tragic chapter
in our nation’s history, a movement began under the leadership of women’s
groups to expand on the Southern tradition of Decoration Days, local events in
which communities payed homage to their lost loved ones by decorating their
graves. Both the 1865 assassination of Lincoln and the loss of 600,000 soldiers
in the Civil War, which ended that same year, precipitated remembrance
ceremonies across the reunited country. The year 1865 also saw the federal
government’s creation of the first national military cemeteries. In 1868, the
Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in
Decatur, Illinois, established Decoration Day, thus formalizing what had been
an ad hoc traditional event where family members congregated at family
cemeteries in a sort of annual reunion to remember loved ones.
By 1882, the name “Decoration Day” had transformed into
“Memorial Day,” but was still not the most common name for the day until after
World War II. In fact Memorial Day was not the official name until 1967. In
1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four
holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified
Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved
Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May.
By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday
traditions, celebrated on different days had merged, and Memorial Day
eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in military service.
It is a day to visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who
have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each
grave in national cemeteries.
2017 Memorial Day Events
Castro Valley:
The Castro Valley VFW will stage its sixth annual Memorial
Day commemoration at the Castro Valley Veterans Memorial, located at Castro
Valley Community Center. Currently, the memorial displays the names of 23
Castro Valley natives who were killed in action.
Castro Valley Veterans Memorial's Memorial Day Event
Monday, May 29
9 a.m.
Castro Valley Veterans Memorial
18988 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley
Free
Fremont:
Cedar Lawn Cemetery and Lima Family Milpitas Fremont
Mortuary will once again partner up with the VFW and American Legion 837 to
honor those who have served and sacrificed. Local community leaders and
veteran’s organizations will come together for the event, which will feature a
wreath ceremony, performance of Taps, presentation of colors, the Scouts band
and a free barbecue lunch.
Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary
Monday, May 29
10 a.m.
Cedar Lawn Memorial Park
48800 Warm Springs Blvd, Fremont
(408) 263-2868
www.LimaFamilyCedarLawn.com
Free
LeMans Karting will honor service men and women and offer a
special promotional package on Memorial Day. Active duty and retired service members
will get one free Time Attack time trial race, and civilians get $10 off
(mention Tri-City Voice to get this special pricing). One free race is
available per person for the weekend. Racing is not for children; driver’s
license is required to drive.
LeMans Karting
Military Personnel Free Time Attack Race
Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29
Reservations recommended - call for times
45957 Hotchkiss St, Fremont
(510) 770-9001
www.lemanskarting.com
Service members: free Time Attack
Civilians: $10 discount
Celebrate the holiday with an admission-free day of fun at
Ardenwood Historic Park. Help with farm chores, ride the train, tour the
Victorian farmhouse, play old-time games, and visit the farm animals.
Fresh-baked cookies will be available from the outdoor wood stove.
Memorial Day Free Day
Monday, May 29
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Free
Drop by the Coyote Hills Visitor Center to learn the history
of U.S. military in the park, including Nike missiles, sea lions, and even a
sunken ship.
Memorial Day Open House
Monday, May 29
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Parking: $5
Hayward:
Lone Tree Cemetery invites all to their 114th Annual
Memorial Day event. There will be a special guest speaker. Many councilmembers,
the mayor and other elected officials are expected to attend. There will be
helicopter flyovers, complementary juice and doughnuts in the morning and BBQ
in the afternoon. Music will be provided by the Hayward Municipal Band.
Lone Tree Cemetery Memorial Day Event
Monday, May 29
11:00 a.m.
Lone Tree Cemetery
24591 Fairview Ave, Hayward
(510) 582-1274
www.lonetreecemetery.com
Free
The Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery will once again partner up
with Castro Valley VFW to stage an hour-long Memorial Day service. There will
be a special guest speaker, along with the Marine Corps Color Guard, bagpipers,
and hot dogs for attendees.
Memorial Day Service
Monday, May 29
2 p.m.
Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery
32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward
(510) 471-3363
http://hayward.chapelofthechimes.com/
Free
Milpitas:
Milpitas will celebrate those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice at Civic Center Veterans Plaza. There will be a presentation of the
colors by Knights of Columbus, 21-Gun Salute, and Remembrance Chair.
Refreshments will be made available.
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 29
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Civic Center Veterans Plaza
455 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
(408) 586-3210
www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov
http://milpitaschamber.com
Free
Sunol:
The Niles Canyon Railway invites community members to come
out and ride the rails this Memorial Day. They are honoring service men and
women by offering a free ride to active and former military personnel.
Memorial Day Train Rides
Sunday, May 28
10:30 a.m., 12:30p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Niles Canyon Railway Sunol Station
6 Kilkare Rd, Sunol
Sunday, May 28
11:20 a.m. & 1:20 p.m.
Niles Canyon Railway, Niles Station
37029 Mission Blvd, Fremont
(510) 996-8420
www.ncry.org
Tickets: $7 – 13; military personnel ride free
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