Tracy Press

Ceremonies this Memorial Day will honor those who died in the U.S. armed forces.

Scott Conover pauses over the grave of his step-son, Lance Cpl. Brandon Dewey, who died in Iraq in 2006, on Memorial Day 2007. Ceremonies this year will again honor the country's fallen servicemen and -women. Press file photo

A row of 80 5-feet-by-9-feet American flags, called The Avenue of Flags, will set the stage for the ceremony at Tracy Cemetery. Principal speaker is Lt. Cory Eggers, who served in the armed forces from 1992 through 2000 and is now assigned to the Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin.

This year’s ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. at the cemetery at Schulte Road and MacArthur Drive, will be under the direction of the James McDermott Post of the American Legion. Wreaths will be placed on the Grave of the Unknown by representatives of veteran and community organizations. Seven American Legion members will fire three volleys with rifles, and Tracy Community Band trumpeter Greg Wright will play taps.

Following the ceremony, the Tracy War Memorial Association will host a second, shorter memorial at about 11 a.m. at the Tracy War Memorial, 375 E. Ninth St. The 65 names of Tracy servicemen who have died in war will be read. A bell will be rung after each name, and someone will say, "No answer."

"In a way, this is like we’re taking roll," said John Treantos, commander of American Legion and president of the Tracy War Memorial Association.

About 200 people typically come to the ceremonies, most war veterans and their families, Treantos said.

The first Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, was in 1865 after the Civil War, when people in a small New York town decorated the gravesites of those who died in the war.

Over the past century, the holiday has become for many a kick-off to summer and a chance to jet out of town over a long weekend.

Treantos said when Americans take advantage of the day off, it only emphasizes their freedom.

"Memorial Day has always meant a heck of a lot to me," said Treantos, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1950s. "And whenever people have the opportunity, they should remember that somebody had to pay a supreme price for their rights."

A reception will follow a second ceremony at the American Legion Hall, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd.

At a glance

WHAT: Memorial Day ceremony

WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday

WHERE: Tracy Cemetery, 600 E. Schulte Road

INFO: John Treantos, 832-8330

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written by thankful American , May 24, 2008

I would like to thank very member of our U.S. Military forces past current and future for all that they do to provide myself and my family with our freedom.
I would also like to thank the Girl Scouts who went out this morning and made sure that every fallen Tracy soldiers grave site is presented with a flag in thanking them for their service.