With Monday, May 25 being observed as Memorial Day, the Escalon American Legion Gustafson-Thompson Post 263 will once again be hosting a series of services.
The events begin at Burwood Cemetery at 28320 E. River Road, Escalon, with that gathering typically the largest of the three scheduled during the day. At Burwood, the service will start at 10 a.m. Monday and include a guest speaker, presentation of memorial wreaths, the lowering of the flag to half-staff, a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
Prior to the service at Burwood, members of the Legion post will be placing American flags all along Main Street in Escalon, beginning at 7 a.m. on May 25.
There will also be small American flags on the graves of all veterans buried at Burwood, as well as the large flags placed along the roadways into the cemetery.
After the Burwood service, the Legion members will move on to St. John’s Cemetery, 17871 Carrolton Road, at the corner of Highway 120 and Carrolton, adjacent to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. That service is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start, and the Legion members will complete the trio of services on Monday by hosting one at Farmington Memorial Park cemetery, 5225 Escalon-Bellota Road, Farmington.
In addition to the local services, the 2026 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony will be hosted at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on Sunday, May 24 starting at 9 a.m.; the cemetery is at 32052 West McCabe Road in Santa Nella and all are welcome to attend the ceremony.
Keynote speaker is scheduled to be Michele Kwok, Executive Director, National Cemetery Administration Pacific District; with guest speaker Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria and special music by the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West.
Located in Merced County, the 320-plus acre site became the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery after being donated by the Romero Ranch Company in 1989. It provides the final resting place for more than 50,000 Veterans and eligible dependents.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in military service to our country.
