Los Altos Post 558

Memorial Day

 

Veterans Day

 

Last Monday in May at 11 a.m.

Join us for one hour on Memorial Day each year to honor and commemorate the Fallen at Eagle Park, 650 Franklin St. Mountain View.  The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives, to serve and protect our Nation and Allies.

This one-hour ceremony is held on the last Monday in May starting at 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Veterans Memorial in Eagle Park. 

  • Chairs are provided on the lawn for elderly and disabled residents; and there is room for wheelchairs and scooters along the main path with good views of the flag procession, wreath laying, and speakers. 
  • An Honor Guard begins the ceremony with the procession of flags. 
  • Five wreaths are laid underneath each military service branch emblem by individuals. 
  • Speakers and singers memorialize the Fallen and inspire us. 
  • The ceremony concludes with the playing of Taps and the raising of the flags to full staff, signifying "the persistence of the nation in the face of loss" or simply "the Nation still stands" after a battle or tragedy.
  • In today's modern nation, we often see flags raised after an earthquake, flood, hurricane or tornado to signify, we, "the Nation still stands."

 

 

 

Always Observed November 11th at 11 a.m.

Even if cities and schools declare a different observance, Veterans Day is always observed on November 11th.

Join us for one hour on Veterans Day every November 11th starting at 11 a.m. at Eagle Park, 650 Franklin St., Mountain View.  This day is always observed on this date and hour, which is the day and time that the Armistice Treaty was signed ending World War I.

On Veterans Day, we honor all Veterans, living or deceased, serving domestically or internationally, because serving in the U. S. Armed Forces is a sacrifice of the individual (and their family), in order to protect and serve others.

  • An Honor Guard will post Colors (flags).
  • Cub Scouts lead the pledge of allegiance.
  • Speakers invited include the Mayor of Mountain View and other interesting speakers depending on the theme for the year.  
  • The event is organized by the Mountain View Veterans Memorial Committee, American Legion Los Altos Post 558 and Admiral William A. Moffett Post 881.

 

June 14th is Always Flag Day. 

Show your patriotism by flying a flag at your home.  Attend a one-hour Flag Retirement Ceremony. 

When your flag becomes worn or torn, dispose of it properly by taking it to an America Legion Post in your community.  Look for a stand-alone, old-fashioned "mail box" (painted red white and blue) near the entrance of any Post to deposit your family's worn out American flags. The closest Post home in North Santa Clara County is Los Altos Post 558, 347 1st Street. Visit calegiondistrict13.org for other Post locations near you.

On the Saturday closest to Flag Day, a special one hour ceremony for the region is held by veterans at Oakhill Cemetery in San Jose.  This is a great educational opportunity for children and adults.  At this one hour ceremony, an American Legion Honor Guard burns a small piece of the worn flags placed in a combat helmet, sitting on top of three rifles, to properly "retire and honor" all flags that are worn or damaged. 

This is the only time a flag may be burned per the U. S. Flag Code.   Contact us for more details of this year's date and time. 

 

Covid History - Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony 2020

In 2020, Covid changed the world and many Memorial Day ceremonies were held "virtually."  Legion members actually performed the Memorial Day 2020 ceremony (without public attendance due to Covid), and livestreamed it for others to pay respect and remember the Fallen.  

[Coming: Click on links below for the  Memorial Day 2020 Virtual Ceremony at the Mountain View Veterans Memorial (organized by Los Altos Post 558 and Adm. Wm. A. Moffett Post 881); and Oakhill San Jose Ceremony (organized by Oakhill and attended by District 13 Honor Guard.  District 13 is comprised of all the American Legion Posts in Santa Clara County).]

<< Previous Page