Memorial Day 2023: Honoring Those Who Have Sacrificed

Happy Memorial Day! 

On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who fought for our freedom and gave their lives to protect our democracy. As a veteran, spouse of a veteran, and father of a veteran – as well as a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I am committed to honoring the members of the United States Armed Forces and their families who have sacrificed so that we may continue to prosper.

How I am Honoring Veterans This Year

As your representative, I am first and foremost committed to working with my local colleagues to bring a Southern California Veterans Memorial and Cemetery to Orange County. This effort continues unabated with our local, state, and federal partners and I look forward to progress on this important project. Our Orange County veterans and their families deserve a place where they can rest and be memorialized for their service.

With more than two million veterans living in the state of California, I feel strongly that we need to provide returning veterans and their family members the tools they need to succeed once they return to civilian life.

In 2023, I am a proud co-author of Assembly Bill 531, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, which creates the $600 million Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2024. Should this measure continue to proceed, it would be placed on the 2024 ballot for the support of voters like yourself.

How You Can Honor Veterans This Year

An easy way to recognize and honor those who have passed on Memorial Day is to fly the American flag outside your homes or hang one in your windows. It shows families that the sacrifices of their loved ones are not forgotten. 

If you fly the flag on Memorial Day, as veterans ourselves, my wife and I would like to send you, your spouse or your child a thank you note.  If you fly the American flag in remembrance of a family member in particular, or the troops in general, I would like to see it, and personally thank you. You can submit your pictures and any memories to Senator.Umberg@senate.ca.gov.

There are also a number of events for you and your family to attend to support and honor veterans this weekend. See below for a list of events near you!

Date & Time

Location

Event

Sunday,
May 28th
6:00p,

Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way

Honor our Heroes Memorial Day Eve Event honoring the US Navy featuring a marching band, F-16 flyover, face painting, TAPS, a war dog team demo, guest speakers and more.

Monday,
May 29th
8:00am

Buena Park
George Bellis Park
7171 8th Street

35th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service & pancake breakfast sponsored by the Buena Park Elks Lodge. Nominal fee pancake breakfast followed by ceremony, games, family fun and hamburgers/hot dogs for lunch.

Monday,
May 29th
9:00am

Whittier
Whittier City Hall
13230 Penn Street

City of Whittier Memorial Day Ceremony honoring those who have lost their lives fighting for our country.

Monday,
May 31st
10:00am

Santa Ana
Santa Ana Cemetery
1919 E. Santa Clara Ave.

Tri-City (Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin) Memorial Day Observance “Lest We Forget,” hosted by the Orange County Cemetery District, Veterans, Community Service Organizations, and Heritage Patriotic Organizations. Civil War Cannon Salute, Sons of the American Revolution Honor Musket Guard, Orange High School Choir, Parade of Flags, Memorial Wreaths, Music, Speeches & more. 

Monday,
May 29th
10:00am

Fullerton
Loma Vista Memorial Park
701 E. Bastanchury Rd.

Memorial Day Ceremony sponsored by American Veterans Memorial Association, the City of Fullerton, and Loma Vista Memorial Park featuring guest speakers, flag and cross placement, and photos.

Monday,
May 29th 
10:30am

Santa Ana
Fairhaven Memorial Park
1702 Fairhaven Avenue

31st Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, “Saluting Women in the Military” featuring a memorial flyover, honor guard detail, dove release, antique cars on display, complimentary hot dogs and more.

Monday,
May 29th 
11:00am

Anaheim
Anaheim Cemetery
1400 E. Sycamore St.

Anaheim Cemetery Memorial Day Program hosted by the Orange County Cemetery District. Guest speakers, wreath presentations, and an Honour Guard Firing Salute.

For more information about any of the above events, California’s programs and services for veterans, or state legislation impacting veterans, please visit calvet.ca.gov, my website at sd34.senate.ca.gov, or contact my District Office at (714) 558-3785.

I wish you all a peaceful, healthy, and reverent Memorial Day.

Colonel (ret) Thomas J. Umberg 
Senator -- 34th District