Valley pauses to honor our Nation’s military heroes
There is plenty to do around the Coachella Valley this Memorial Day weekend to honor our Military’s men and women who bravely defend our freedom.
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The only event not taking place on Monday, May 30, will be held at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus on Friday at 3 p.m. The Veteran’s Success Center will pay tribute to fallen service members. The program will include a welcome by Dean Sharon Brown-Welty, a presentation of colors by the Desert Hot Springs High School Marine Corps JROTC, followed by US Navy Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Paul Armstrong with invocation.
Here are the ceremonies and events planned for Monday:
Memorial Day Flower Drop at Palm Springs International Airport at 1PM
SEE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM INSIDE THE B-25
Annual Flower Drop at Palm Springs International Airport honors and memorializes all veterans who lost their life defending the US.
The white carnations are in honor of those who fought in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The red carnations are in honor of those who died in more recent conflicts including the Persian Gulf, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon will make a presentation to the 27 Gold Star Mothers’ & Families (those on the banners in the parking lot detailing the Coachella Valley service members who have died in service to our country. Families and Docents place 3,000 tribute roses in a basket which will be loaded onto a vintage B-25 Bomber and dropped over the city.
745 N. Gene Autry Trail
Early events begin at 8 a.m. but the Flower Drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Music by Heatwave Jazz Band
82nd Airborne Living History Association (re-enactors)
Children’s activities (Harpo the Clown, Knights of Columbus helium balloons); Totally Twisted Balloons
Food vendors (Freedom Fighter’s Caf, Grills Gone Wild, Big Easy Sandwich Company, Cone Zone, Knights of Columbus Pizza, and the All American Cookie Company
Hanger 24 Beer Tent for people age 21 and older (cash only)
C-47 Flights for sale – $195 per person, must have 5 paying tickets per flight (or one fabulous person to buy out the ride!)
Activities (but not airplane rides) included with regular admission to the museum which ranges from $9 to $16. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own portable chairs, and to carpool. Active Military and their immediate family with ID and children 5 and under are free. Family rates are $35 and $45, depending on the age of the children.
Palm Springs Desert Veterans Memorial Day Observance at 9 a.m.
Desert Memorial Park at the intersection of Ramon Road and DaVall Road in Cathedral City
Welcome message from Mayor Robert Moon and Sergeant Major Charles E. Wells, MAGTFTC/MCAGCC Twentynine Palms will give the Memorial Day address
Event is free and ample parking available
Cathedral City – Forest Lawn Memorial Day Celebration 10:30 a.m.
In the Ramon Chapel and Mausoleum Courtyard area at the Cathedral City campus, located at 69855 Ramon Road
Following chapel service, a flag ceremony, playing of “Taps” and the release of doves will take place in the Mausoleum Courtyard
Keynote address by Jeremiah Pauley with the Wounded Warrior Project along with local dignitaries. Music provided by the Alan Scott Quartet
Forest Lawn has donated all of the red and white carnations for the annual Flower Drop at the Palm Springs International Airport for the past 10 years
City of Desert Hot Springs Memorial Day Observance at Veteran’s Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Memorial Day picnic at the VFW from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Veteran’s Park is located at 10101 Palm Drive and the VFW is located at 1534 1 Clubhouse Drive
Sierra Garcia with the Desert Hot Springs High School Choir will sing the National Anthem, followed by speakers, Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia and Mayor Pro Tem Joe McKee
The Memorial Day picnic will provide food and a live band sponsored by KDHS Radio
City of Coachella Spotlight 29 Casino
Free Chairman’s Breakfast from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Cafe Capitata. Active and retired Military can enjoy a free breakfast of two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns and buttered toast (must present Military ID)
Memorial Day lunch and dinner buffet will also be provided. Guest can enjoy the lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for $11.95 per person, and the Memorial Day dinner buffet from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $16.95 per person
Happy Hour specials will be offered all day long at Hot Spot
For reservations, call 760-775-2880 or visit spotlight29.com
Construction will begin in June on the revamping of a Coachella veterans’ memorial park, with an amphitheater, lawn, memorial fountain and other features planned to be completed by the fall. The Coachella City Counci granted a $4.7 million construction contract to Bermuda Dunes-based DougWall Construction, Inc. Officials said it will be a major redesign and
rebuild, transforming Veterans Memorial Park “into the most visually striking
park of its kind in the Coachella Valley,” Coachella City Engineer Jonathan
Hoy said.
City of Indian Wells Memorial Day Ceremony 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
The Pavilion at the Indian Wells Golf Resort
44-500 Indian Wells Lane
Indian Wells, California 92210
Golf Resort: (760) 346-4653
Park at the Indian Wells Golf Resort; shuttles will provide transportation to the Pavilion
For information on the City of Indian Wells Memorial Day Ceremony, please call Indian Wells City Hall, (760) 346-2489
Participants include: Indian Wells Mayor Dana Reed; Keynote speaker Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffrey Gonzalez, Vocalist Donna Brown, and Stan Watkins “Taps” player. Indian Wells residents and the general public are invited to attend this free air conditionedpatriotic event. No reservations are needed.
City of Beaumont Veteran’s Memorial Wall at 11 a.m.
The city will unveil 11 names on the Beaumont Veteran’s Memorial Wall and a memorial bench in honor of former City Councilman Jeff Fox. The memorial honors deceased military personnel who lived in Beaumont or Cherry Valley while on active duty or who died later in those communities after their military service ended
Veteran’s Memorial is located at the Beaumont Civic Center located at 550 E. 6th Street
More Information
Twentynine Palms – Tortoise Rock Casino Noon to 6 p.m.
Free Nathan’s chili dog and french fries will be offered as a thanks to all those who have served our country (must present Military ID), along with a special all-day Happy Hour
Tortoise Rock Casino can be found by taking a right on Adobe Road at Highway 62 going east. Everyone 18 years old and over can join the gaming action at Tortoise Rock Casino
