The historic Lancaster Cemetery, part of the Antelope Valley Cemetery District, located in the heart of the City of Lancaster, will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m., May 29 at the Veterans Court of Honor.
Our speaker will be retired Col. Evan Thomas.
Thomas is a former fighter pilot and test pilot who was deployed with the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Additionally, Thomas commanded the 411th Test Squadron, responsible for developmental test of the F-22 Raptor, from 2003-2005. Since 2011, he has served as a test pilot instructor most recently at the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base.
The Antelope Valley Young Marines will post the Colors. Gold Star Mother P.J. Walker, will sing the National Anthem, and Pastor Ken Gardner from Quartz Hill Christ Our Savior Methodist Church will give the invocation.
Antelope Valley Blue Star Mothers and representatives from the Marine Corps League will place the military service wreaths at the flagpoles. Cemetery trustees Dave Owens, Richard Cook and Cynthia Poole will place a memorial wreath at the main flagpole.
U.S. Navy veteran Phil Roberts and Cemetery Manager Dayle DeBry will perform the Bell Ceremony to honor those who have passed since last Memorial Day. Bagpiper Chris Parke will play Amazing Grace and TAPS. A new bronze memorial plaque will be dedicated to honor a recently discovered Civil War veteran, Homer E. Ware. Ware served in the 7th Ohio Cavalry.
The Memorial Day program at Lancaster Cemetery will honor the memory and service of those men and women from all wars and conflicts that have served so that we may continue to live our lives in freedom. We welcome all members of the community to attend.
For more information, call DeBry at 661-942-6110.