Benjamin and Camille Lanthier bring their children Collette (7), Gemma (9), Dawn (3) and Esther (3 months) to the Memorial Day service every year and are teaching their children what this day means. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Memorial Day at the Citrus Heights Sylvan Cemetery began a bit chilly but proved to be the perfect day to remember the 1,400 veterans buried there and to honor our veterans still serving their country. 

The Folsom Harmony Express barbershop chorus greeted arriving attendees with their ever-popular array of patriotic barbershop style songs including the Armed Forces Medley, Grand Old Flag and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

The Police Honor Guard posted the American and California flags.   

Master of Ceremony Jim Montenton American Legion Post 637 officer and member of the Sylvan Cemetery District Board of Trustees greeted the over 100 attendees with a reminder that, “Today is a day that everybody in this country should remember. It is the most important day to think how we got here, how this country was formed and who was fighting for our freedom. We talk about all those young men who over the years dedicated their lives to defending their country.”

Chief of Police Alex Turcotte reminded attendees how our men and women go to all parts of the world so that our flag is standing there and still standing here at home. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Monteton thanked the 25 to 30 Mesa Verde students who arrived early Saturday to place small wooden crosses on all 1,400 graves, all in just over one hour, despite the graves being scattered thought the cemetery.

There are 1,400 veterans buried at Sylvan, including nine soldiers who died during the civil war, and every war and conflict since then. Sylvan Cemetery was built long before the national cemeteries, the earliest was buried in 1862. Some of the headstones record three conflicts: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Police Chief Alex Turcotte shared his belief that as in the past there are many forces working against this country to not make it work; they want to take away our ability to disagree.

“For the freedom we are given we don’t really understand the sacrifice unless we know a man or woman who laid down their life in protection of each other and in protection of their country,” Turcotte said.

Mayor MariJane Taff gave a brief history of the Sylvan cemetery going back for generations.

“Let’s live together and be able to disagree. But when the going gets tough let us stand tall and remember those who put their country above themselves and made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom.”

Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff noted that the cemetery tells its stories through generations of everyday people.

“For a generation and a half, families have gathered here to remember loved ones, to grieve, to honor and to respect the fallen,” Lopez-Taff said. “People who led ordinary lives before history asked for something extraordinary from them. This memorial service is about people who raised their hand and said “yes.” We remember them not because they were perfect but because they were willing to serve and put something much larger than themselves first.” 

City Manager Ash Feeney sees Memorial Day as a day of memory and reverence “for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of all the ideals and peace and freedom our country enjoys.”

District 4 Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez shared that her parents were immigrants from Mexico who always had a reverence for and loved this country. She said, “It’s such a great feeling to know that I feel the same way my parents did.”

“I ran (for office) because of the people who fought for our country to make it great, and it is my duty to continue to protect what this country was built on,” Rodriguez said.

Deborah Bartlett, vice regent of the John A. Sutter Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), recited two poems: “For the Fallen Soldier” by Laurence Binyon (written September 1814 to honor British casualties in the early days of World War I) and “A Hymn for Fallen Soldiers” by Michael Birch.

Veterans stand as the choir sings the anthem for their branch of service.

The Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project was presented to the audience by co-chair and business owner, Ray Riehle and Stones Gambling Hall’s Kermit Schayltz. Riehle reported on the status of the project.  The wall, to be built at Calvary Cemetery in Citrus Heights will be a 95% scale replica of the original in Washington D.C. and will hold the names of the 58, 281 men and women who gave their lives during the Vietnam conflict.

According to Riehle, it will be the only wall of its kind on this side of the Missouri River.

Riehle also described the enormous undertaking the project is, saying they are actively seeking partners, donations and sponsors.

Schayltz set the tone for the impact the wall will have on the community, telling of the 30 reasons he is ingrained in this project. He gave emotional accounts of the 30 comrades-in-arms he lost during his two years he served in Vietnam.

For information on the project visit: www.chvmp.org.

There were several children at the service. Benjamin and Camille Lanthier of Citrus Heights brought their four young children.

The couple said they’ve been attending this event for years. They want their children to know the day isn’t all about hot dogs and picnics, but to know the true meaning of the day, why they wear red, white and blue and the importance of serving their country. Benjamin Lanthier added he tells them about other people all over the world serving in military who are dying.

“To live life, you have to sacrifice,” Benjamin Lanthier said.

The day ended with the honor guards official three volley rifle salute and Taps.