Memorial Day’s long history includes red poppies
Services, motorcycles and barbecues to celebrate sacrifices of fallen veterans
Every Memorial Day, bikers gather in downtown Yuma in the morning, then depart in a run honoring the men and women who have served — and died — for the nation in the military.
The Yuma chapter of ABATE — American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education — will again host its Memorial Day run on Monday. The 26th annual run will assemble at 8 a.m. at the Gowan Building on Main Street and then make successive stops at places in and around Yuma where observances are taking place in honor of the nation’s veterans.
Gilbert Hernandez, a member of the ABATE chapter, said the run is open not just to bikers but anyone traveling on wheels.
“We want everyone to come and join us — cars, trucks, wagons, covered wagons,” he said.
Whether or not he’s kidding about the covered wagons, Hernandez said the chapter wants people, motorcyclists or not, to join the run.
And while they’re at it, here are other Memorial Day events residents may want to attend:
• American Legion Post 19 will host a service for fallen veterans beginning at 7:45 a.m. at the Quechan cemetery in Winterhaven. Following that, post members will go to Gateway Park, where memorial wreaths will be dropped from the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge to the Colorado River.
The post will then host memorial services at Desert Lawn, 1415 S. 1st Ave., at 10 a.m. and at the Sunset Vista cemetery at 11357 E. 40th St. at 11:30 a.m.
• The American Legion’s La Femmes Cabana #622 will host its annual Memorial Day barbecue beginning at 11 a.m. at Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Drive. On the menu are pit barbecue beef, beans, coleslaw, salsa and tortillas.
Double Take, a duo of Kent and Shirey Helson playing classic country, swing and ‘50s and ‘60s rock, will provide live music for the event. Drawings will be held for various prizes, including a diamond ring as a grand prize.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If you break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE KICK-OFF
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: O.C. Johnson Elementary School, 1201 W. 12th St. GOING ON: Yuma School District 1 will have the summer food service kick-off event with free lunch for all kids and teens 18 years old and under; face painting, balloon animals, music, raffle, prizes