Veterans Community Center Observes Memorial Day
May 27, 2026 12:23PM ● By Thomas J. Sullivan, photos by Thomas J. Sullivan
The all-volunteer Ben Ali Shrine Band, under the baton of director Ron Wainright, presented a concert of patriotic music and popular favorites, accepting donations in support of the Northern California Shriners Center.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The city of Citrus Heights took time to honor and remember its fallen veterans on Memorial Day 2026 in a variety of public ceremonies, gatherings and a free concert.
The Veterans Community Center, at 7401 Auburn Blvd., held its annual free Memorial Day Concert from noon to 1 p.m. May 25 on the grounds of the center.
Veterans and guests at the Memorial Day observance render honors to fallen veterans who served and died in action.
Before the concert began, attending veterans and their guests were given a commemorative keepsake red and white striped pin featuring two poppies in remembrance of the famed World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields” which was read by Michelle Grant, the daughter of a Korean War era U.S. Navy veteran, who is the center’s general manager.
The all-volunteer Ben Ali Shrine Band, under the baton of director Ron Wainright, presented a concert of patriotic music and popular favorites, accepting donations in support of the Northern California Shriners Center.
Michelle Grant, the daughter of a Korean War era U.S. Navy veteran and general manager of the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center reads the world War I remembrance poem, “In Flanders Fields.”
The Veterans Community Center was originally built in 1862 and opened as Sylvan School before serving as a community center for more than 40 years.
Earlier that morning, the historic Sylvan Cemetery at 7401 Auburn Blvd. also honored fallen veterans who served and died in action in the annual ceremony held at the cemetery’s gazebo, with Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney providing opening remarks.
The Veterans Community Center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. For a complete full list of weekly and monthly activities each month, visit online veteranscommunitycenterch.com or email [email protected].
