The annual Memorial Day service at Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights was held this year on May 29. As is tradition, friends and family waited at the cemetery gazebo for the procession led by the Citrus Heights Police Motorcycle Detail and Color Guard to arrive. The Folsom Harmony Express Singers created an atmosphere of patriotism for those waiting, and during the service, with their popular array of patriotic barbershop-style pieces, including the song for each of the five branches of the military.

The police escort, followed by the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, members of the American Legion (AL) Post 637, Boy Scout troop 228 and members of the public wound around parts of the cemetery, stopping at four stations to honor those buried who fought in the Civil War, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. It arrived at the gazebo at 11 a.m.

The police color guard presented arms, a prayer was said by AL chaplain Jerry Smith, and the MIA/POW flags were posted.

Master of Ceremonies Jim Monteton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Sylvan Cemetery and an expert on its history spoke of the more than 1,400 veterans of four wars buried there. Of those, only eight died in combat.

He thanked his use of Facebook for the rise in attendance this year and for the 30 members of the community who showed up to help put 1,400 flags on veteran’s graves.

American Legion Post 637 Commander Paul Reyes, Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, Mayor Jeff Slowey, and Police Chief Ron Lawrence spoke.

Lawrence referred to the military as police officer’s “blood cousins”, neither knowing what to expect when they go to work each day. He said “it is an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder” with their military counterparts to protect and defend their flag.

Members of the city council, former Citrus Heights mayor, Roberta MacGlashan and Assemblyman Ken Cooley were also in attendance.