• Memorial Day 2023

An unseasonably overcast day, that had the temps hovering in the 60s, was a great backdrop for Wildomar's 2023 Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery on Palomar. 

It began with a welcome from the Mayor, then a parade of motorcycles with riders from the American Legion and VFW.

We had a beautiful version of The National Anthem sung by Valerie Geason, music by the Valley Winds, along with Memorial Day-themed messages and prayers.

Pastor Fred Rodriguez from Elsinore First Assembly delivered an inspiring keynote address.

The program was about honoring those that have served our nation and did not return home since the founding of the Union. There are five that are buried at Wildomar Cemetery that are among that number.

We, as Americans, live an incredibly cushy life, even if some of us lose sight of that at times, and it's all owed to courageous men and women that are/were willing to die for the ideals set forth by our founding fathers. 

A heartfelt thank you, though we can never repay them. 

Though there are well over 100 veterans that are buried at Wildomar Cemetery, only one of them was killed in the line of duty, Justin T. Hunt. The other four on the list above are buried elsewhere but with strong ties to Wildomar.

Collage of those that were at the podium from Councilwoman Ashlee DePhillippo's photos. Stever George, National Anthem singer Valerie Geason, VFW Chaplain Adam Smith, Cornerstone Pastor Navon Aikens, Mayor Joseph Morabito, Pastor Fred Rodriguez and VFW Post Commander Charles Golden.

VFW Post 1508 Post Commander Charles Golden speaks to those in attendance as Post 1508 Chaplain Adam Smith takes a snapshot. 

A short story of how today's event came to be

Last year I met a resident that is also a member of the American Legion. He asked if we could get a meeting to discuss the possible inclusion of the American Legion riders into the city's Memorial Day observance.

Not long afterward a meeting was set up at Montegue Brothers Coffee along with Bridgette Moore. That was late in 2022 and the next meeting wasn't until the end of March 2023.

Even with that short window of time to prepare, with the outstanding leadership of Wildomar's Daniel Torres and Elsinore First Assembly's Pastor Fred Rodriguez (not to mention many others) we were able to produce this very worthy program. 

The Young Marines at-the-ready to present the colors. 

Though last year was the first chance to have an in-person event since 2019, I was a little crestfallen at seeing such a low turnout. Yes, part of 2022's Covid hangover, but still... (EDITED, There was an in-person event in 2021) 

The modest goal for 2023 was to fill the seats. Which we did! 200 chairs were set up, and most were filled. That's not counting people in their own chairs, the orchestra, the boy scouts, the Young Marines or the motorcycle riders that stayed near their bikes.

I heard from several people, without asking them, that they felt this was the best Memorial Day observance they'd seen in Wildomar. 

One of the many displays that gave the setting an added-something-extra feel. 

In the early meetings with Pastor Fred, I could see that little ol' Wildomar was stepping up beyond what we were used to.

I say that because he's been a key part of very large Memorial Day Observances in Lake Elsinore in the pre-Covid days. 

We're not looking to set any records in Wildomar, but I can easily see this doubling or tripling the number of attendees over the next couple of years. 

There is plenty of room at the cemetery for well over 500 (possibly a lot more, I'm not trained in estimating crowd sizes😅) that would like to attend a well-crafted, stirring, and patriotic event that honors those that gave all so that we can live in a country filled with liberty.

Below are a few pictures to tell the rest of the story. If you'd like to volunteer to help be part of next year's Memorial Day event, it's not too soon to reach out.

You can contact Daniel Torres at dtorres@cityofwildomar.org and I'm sure that if you reached out to Pastor Fred at Elsinore First Assembly that would be a good path too.

A view of the crowd while Valerie Geason was singing God Bless the USA. 

The Valley Winds played several great tunes. Such a welcomed added dimension to this year's program.

The wreath was supplied by the VFW Auxillary Post 1508. 

The Young Marines were standing in this position for the entire program once their part was finished.

A view of the many decorated graves of veterans that have since passed on.

Wildomar City Council members in attendance. Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore, Mayor Joseph Morabito and Councilwoman Ashlee Dephillipo.