24th Annual Memorial Day Event Scheduled for May 26th at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park

·         Scouts to honor more than 1,400 veterans by placing American flags on graves throughout the memorial park Saturday, May 24th

·         Flyover give community members pause as they reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day

Since 1990, hundreds of patriotic community members have paused on Memorial Day and joined their neighbors at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, a local Dignity Memorial® provider, to honor American heroes who died in the service of their country.  This year’s complimentary event, which is expected to draw more than 3,000 visitors, will be held May 26th and begin with a stirring musical prelude performed by the renowned Air National Guard Band of the Southwest at 10:30 a.m. 

Jointly hosted by Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin and the cities of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, the event will be held at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, in Westlake Village, in the Garden of Valor.

“‘True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.’  These words by Arthur Ashe truly capture the spirit of our Memorial Day ceremony this year,” said Tamara Eacker, general manager of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park.  “We are honored that so many of our community members join with us to honor and remember those brave American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, men and women who have died serving our country.”

The feeling of gratitude and patriotism will permeate the memorial park, from the large American flags lining the roadways to the virtual carpet of red, white and blue formed by the more than 1,400 flags placed by scouts at the graves of veterans buried in the Garden of Valor and throughout the memorial park.  Members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the 2nd battalion, 23rd Marines, the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and the combined choirs of United Methodist Church of Westlake Village, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Village Voices Chorale and Valleyaires will present the program.  An enormous C-17 Air Force transport and a squadron of AT-6 WW II trainers will complete fly-overs during the ceremony.  

"Twenty-four years ago, The Retired Officers Association (TROA) conducted a ceremony for a few hundred people, mostly veterans.  Word soon spread of the deep emotional feelings that embraced attendees as they listened to the tributes for our fallen heroes,” said Colonel Evan Clements, past- president of the Conejo-Simi Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.  “Today, this ceremony is unlike any other Memorial Day service and one of the largest-attended events in the United States.”

For information on the Memorial Day ceremony or about Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin, please call 818.889.0902.

About Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory, FD 1344 Westlake Village, Calif., is a proud Dignity Memorial provider.  The Dignity Memorial network of more than 1,800 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence.  For more information, call (818) 889-0902 or visit http://www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com.