A Memorial Day ceremony in remembrance of the men and women who died protecting their country will be held at Monument Point at 11 a.m. in Heisler Park Monday, May 28.
Prior to the ceremony and beginning at 7 a.m., firefighters, police and lifeguards will be flipping flapjacks for an al fresco park breakfast at Myrtle Street and Cliff Drive. The public is welcome to join the $5 breakfast, part of a bi-annual Exchange Club fundraiser for abused children.
And beginning at 11 a.m. until past 1 p.m., the Laguna Concert Band performs on the Main Beach cobblestones.
Fixings for the communal breakfast of sausage, bacon, orange juice and pancakes are contributed by the White House and Las Brisas restaurants, while violinist Doug Miller and bagpiper Dave Lopez provide the entertainment. Greeters include Jessica de Stefano and Skipper Carrillo.
Veterans, of course, are served gratis, organizer Sande St. John said.
Breakfast wraps up in time for the nearby Monument Point ceremony, where World War II veteran George Ciampa is the guest speaker. The ceremony is hosted by local posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Music provided by Jon Lundgren will precede the ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
Organizations are invited to place floral offerings at the Heisler Park monument prior to the ceremony.
Questions about floral arrangements? Contact Diane Connell at 949 494-2065.
Your coverage of the exemplary Memorial Day observance at Heisler Park was grossly inadequate. The respectful and somber session was handled with dignity and gratitude for those veterans who fell in battle. Your piece, focused on the firemen’s pancake fund raiser, covered none of this. Does this day have no more meaning than that? I do not think so.