Families and friends gather to celebrate Memorial Day at a local event in Southern California.
On Memorial Day, thousands gathered across Southern California to remember fallen military personnel. Events included ceremonies, community gatherings, and celebrations in several locations such as parks and cemeteries. Notable happenings included the 120th annual Memorial Day event in Huntington Beach, which featured a military flyover, and a record-breaking travel trend reported by AAA, forecasting approximately 3.6 million travelers in the region. Various local events such as the Field of Honor and Memorial Day ceremonies celebrated military service and community spirit throughout the region.
Thousands gathered across Southern California on Memorial Day, May 26, to honor fallen military personnel through various ceremonies, community gatherings, and celebrations. Significant events took place in numerous locations including parks, cemeteries, and community centers, highlighting both remembrance and community spirit.
The city of Huntington Beach celebrated its 120th annual Memorial Day event at Pier Plaza. The ceremony featured presentations by the Huntington Beach High School band, a military flyover, and a roll call acknowledging local military personnel who lost their lives serving the country. Meanwhile, Costa Mesa hosted its 71st annual Memorial Day event at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park & Mortuary, which included a “missing man” flyover and a WWII transport display.
El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest featured U.S. Army veteran Frans VandenBroek as the keynote speaker, who shared his experiences as a helicopter crew chief during the Vietnam War. The Lake Forest event included a color guard flag ceremony, wreath presentations, musical performances, and concluded with a gun salute.
The Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) reported that approximately 3.6 million people are expected to travel in Southern California during Memorial Day weekend, marking a record-breaking travel trend for the third consecutive year. Nationwide, about 45.1 million people are anticipated to travel, with around 39.4 million expected to drive.
Travelers are benefiting from lower gas prices, which are 50 to 60 cents cheaper than last year, and car rental costs are projected to be 8% lower. The busiest travel days will likely be Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, with recommendations to leave before noon to avoid heavy traffic.
The 5 Freeway from Los Angeles to Bakersfield is anticipated to be the busiest stretch, potentially extending a 90-minute drive to three hours during peak times. Moreover, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is preparing for increased traffic and passenger volume, advising travelers to plan accordingly. Nearly 54,000 flights are scheduled for Thursday, marking it as the busiest day of air travel for the weekend. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen about 18 million passengers and crew members during the travel period concluding on Wednesday.
Numerous community events honoring military personnel were scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend. The Field of Honor at Mission San Juan Capistrano displayed over 400 American flags from May 20 to May 26. Additionally, the Newport Beach Wine Festival at Balboa Bay Club featured food and beverage offerings in honor of the holiday from May 23 to May 25.
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival provided live music and family activities celebrated from May 23 to May 26, while Hilton Irvine hosted a Memorial Weekend BBQ Party on May 24, featuring various food options and entertainment. Other notable events included a Memorial Day Ceremony at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach on May 26, which featured local leaders’ speeches and a unique “tolling the boats” ceremony, as well as a flag raising ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley to honor those who served.
The city of Mission Viejo hosted a Memorial Day ceremony at City Hall that included performances and refreshments, and the Freedom Committee of Orange County has plans to present the 68th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Costa Mesa on May 30.
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