A Combat Veterans Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans re-integrate and re-engage in their communities, will play host to this year’s Avenue of Flags Memorial Day Ceremony in Visalia. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. under the pavilion at the Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave. in Visalia. The program will include the Presentation of the Colors by Naval Sea Cadets; stories of service by two World War II Combat Veterans; music and song by Golden West High School; laying of memorial wreaths; release of peace and remembrance doves; rifle salute and playing of taps at the end of the ceremony.
Volunteers are needed to set up the Avenue of Flags at the cemetery, including 2,400 flagpoles and large flags along the main drive as well as 4,300 small flags at the grave of every known veteran buried at the cemetery. Those wishing to place the small flags can do so from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27. Volunteers to set up flagpoles are needed at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 28 and those wanting to help raise flags on the flagpoles are needed from 6-6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29. Flags and flagpoles will be taken down from 3:30-4 p.m. on Monday. Anyone wishing to help with the flags or flag poles on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday please contact Avenue of Flags Association member Bill Morland at 559-300-2306.
