Roseville Cemetery hosts Memorial Day celebration

Area residents are invited to come together to honor fallen veteran heroes this Memorial Day Monday at the Roseville Cemetery, 421 Berry Street in Roseville. Monday's ceremony is a collaborative effort by the American Legion District 7, American Legion Post 169, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1487, Elks Lodge 2248, American Legion Auxiliary 169 and the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 230. The organizations are based in Roseville and consist of Roseville and south Placer veterans. According to American Legion District 7 Adjutant Mike Scott, the American Legion District 7 is made up of veterans from Placer, El Dorado and Nevada Counties. The American Legion Post 169 and the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1487 alternate years in which they plan the ceremony at the Roseville cemetery, according to Scott. This year is the American Legion Post 169's turn to host the event. Planning this event started a couple months ago, Scott said, and the collaboration of other local veterans organizations, the Boy and Cub Scouts and the Roseville Cemetery have been "supportive and cooperative" in organizing the event. According to Roseville Cemetery officials, 2,411 fallen veterans are buried throughout the cemetery. Roseville Cemetery officials estimate that up to 300 Roseville area residents and city officials will attend Monday's ceremony, based on attendance from previous years. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., featuring music from the Roseville Community Band, as well as words from Placer County District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore and American Legion Post 169 members. The ceremony's keynote speaker will feature Marine veteran/ Placer County Deputy Sheriff Richard Cervantes. Local Boy Scout Troop 11 and Cub Scout Pack 37 will also help the Elks Lodge 2248, American Legion Post 169 and Roseville Cemetery prepare for the ceremony and will also be at the ceremony to honor and remember veterans. Elks Lodge 2248 veterans chairperson Art Sanchez described the assistance from the Scouts as "fun." "It's really neat that (these) kids get a chance to do some community service (and honor veterans)," Sanchez said. Being a part of Roseville's Memorial Day celebration, Boy Scout Troop 11 Scoutmaster Craig Jamison said, benefits his Scouts in many ways. "It's (about) learning to donate your time to others," Jamison said. "(It's important for the Scouts to learn that) communities are meaningful and getting an understanding and developing respect for all of those people that have sacrificed either their time and or their lives for this country." Following the ceremony, the American Legion District 7 and Post 169 will host a free lunch open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the American Legion to help veterans.Donation proceeds also go toward the American Legion's ability to sponsor youth organizations such as Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts in local communities. The lunch will be at the Roseville Veterans Hall at 110 Park Drive in Roseville immediately after Monday's 11 a.m. ceremony. American Legion Post 620 hosts Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast Also on Monday, in honor of the holiday, the American Legion Post 620 will host its annual Memorial Day breakfast at the Rocklin Community Center at 5480 5th St. According to Chuck Kolesar from American Legion Post 620, the breakfast will start at 6:30 a.m. The breakfast will end in time for those who would like to attend the 11 a.m. Memorial Day program at the Rocklin Cemetery, 4090 Kannasto St., Rocklin. The Roseville Kiwanis will help in the kitchen during the pancake breakfast. Raffle prizes will also be available at the breakfast. You do not have to be present to win. Scouts from Troop 29 will help at the buffet line Monday morning and they also volunteered to place flags on Rocklin Cemetery veterans' plots this weekend. Whitney High School Color Guard will perform flag duties at the cemetery, followed by the Sierra Elementary School choir singing the National Anthem. Monday's guest speakers at the ceremony will include Rocklin Mayor Bill Halldin, Councilwoman Jill Gayaldo, Placer County District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes, Rocklin Police Chief Rustin Banks and Rocklin Fire Chief Reginald Williams. The crowd favorite "open mic veteran remembrance" session will follow. The flag will be raised to full staff and a melodic bagpipe version of Taps, played by Bill Adams, will complete the program. Post 620 Commander Nick Bonge invites the community to remember the women and men who gave their lives for freedom.