American Legion Post to host South Lake Tahoe Memorial Day ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony at the Happy Homestead Cemetery on Monday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m.

The annual remembrance event is hosted by the American Legion Post 795 of South Lake Tahoe and their Ladies Auxiliary. After the ceremony, locals and visitors are invited to members for cake and refreshments at the American Legion Hall.

“Memorial Day is a significant opportunity to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said American Legion Commander, Matthew Panks. “We hope we get a good turnout that includes community members and leaders. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join us for this important ceremony.”

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

On Memorial Day weekend, members of the Auxiliary will be collecting donations for poppies, which have become a symbol of Memorial Day. On Friday, May 26, 2017, beginning at 11 a.m., Auxiliary members will be stationed at the South Lake Tahoe Grocery Outlet at 2358 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

“The distribution of these bright red memorial flowers to the public is one of the oldest and most widely recognized programs of the American Legion Auxiliary,” said American Legion Auxiliary President, Carol Olivas. “It’s also one of the auxiliary’s most important fundraisers”.

This memorial flower can be traced to a single individual, Miss Moina Michael. She was so moved by Colonel John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields, she bought a bouquet of poppies and handed them to businessmen meeting at the New York YMCA where she worked. Later, she would spearhead a campaign that would result in the adoption of the poppy as the national symbol of sacrifice.

Happy Homestead is the final resting place to more than 560 veterans. Volunteers are encouraged to help our local veteran’s group, Vets in Counseling, place American flags at their gravesites on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Volunteers are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:00 a.m.

Volunteers are also needed to set up chairs and tables at the post before the event on Monday. Volunteers should meet at the American Legion Hall on Monday, May 29, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.

For more information, contact Carol Olivas at 530-544-1306.

Happy Homestead is located at 1261 Johnson Blvd and the American Legion Hall is at 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, both in South Lake Tahoe.