Memorial Day Weekend 2023: Remembrances In The Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Memorial Day 2023 is part of a nearly 160-year tradition that pays tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in service to the country.

Every year, a national moment of remembrance is held at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, Americans are asked to pause for one minute in silence to remember military personnel who have given their lives in service to their country. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the midday time was chosen because it’s when many Americans will be enjoying their freedoms on a national holiday.

Below is a list of the largest Memorial Day 2023 events occurring in the Coachella Valley. Additionally, check with local cemeteries and churches as many host special Memorial Day services.

COACHELLA
The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District will honor its local fallen heroes with an annual Memorial Day ceremony starting at 9 a.m. Monday. The event will feature a flyover by a historic Douglas C-47 Skytrain military transport aircraft, made possible in partnership with the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The aircraft played a crucial role in World War II and continued to serve numerous military operators for decades.

Open to the public, the event will take place at the Veterans Memorial located at the heart of the cemetery grounds. Organized in collaboration with the American Legion Post 739, Indio, the day will be "a memorable and meaningful tribute to those who served our nation," according to event organizers.

Activities will begin with the opening of the cemetery gates at 6 a.m., extending until sundown, offering time for visitors to pay their respects and honor the memory of their loved ones.

The ceremony will also feature a reflective invocation by Deacon Marty Sullivan from Our Lady of Soledad and the National Anthem, performed by the talented Coachella Valley High School Choir.

Ceremonies will include the presentation of wreaths and a reverential salute, known as a rifle volley, carried out by the Post 739 Honor Guard, and a Pass and Review by the American Legion Riders.

In a display of gratitude, Boy Scout Troops 1701 and 451 will join forces to place flags at the gravesites of U.S. military veterans interred at the cemetery. The scouts will also participate in a memorial reading of Major Sullivan Ballou's renowned letter from the American Civil War.

The Memorial Day ceremony is free to attend.

The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District, Veterans Memorial is located at 82925 Avenue 52, Coachella.

For more information about the Memorial Day ceremony, visit CVPCD.org.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

A Memorial Day ceremony featuring a patriotic flyover to honor fallen servicemembers will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Veterans Park, 10101 Palm Drive, according to a statement from the city of Desert Hot Springs.

The city "invites the community to share in a special tribute to U.S. military servicemembers and their families this Memorial Day," city officials said in a statement. "The ceremony ... will include a patriotic flyover courtesy of the Palm Springs Air Museum, songs and music to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country."

According to city officials, the ceremony will also feature bagpiper and retired USMC Gunnery Sgt. Joel M. Daniel, a presentation of colors by Desert Hot Springs High School's Junior ROTC, an opening address from Mayor Scott Matas, DHSHS marine instructor and retired USMC 1st Sgt Nichelle Webb, a moment of silence for Shea's Center founder Judy Shea, and solo performances by soulful singer Zynisha Clary.

PALM SPRINGS

The 2023 Memorial Day Flower Drop takes place Monday above the Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. Flight exhibitions start at 10 a.m. and the flower drop happens at 1 p.m.

"Please join us on this very special day at the Palm Springs Air Museum, as we our fallen comrades who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. In their honor, we highlight the memorial service with a missing-man formation fly-by, and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a vintage warbird," according to the museum.

This year, the event will pay special tribute to gold star families and the 50th anniversary of the release of the Vietnam War POWs.

Get more information here.

LAKE CAHUILLA
Riverside County is thanking and honoring all who have served the country with free admission and fishing at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park during Memorial Day weekend, Saturday through Monday.

Free admission is open to active duty military personnel, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and federal and state reservists, and all other guests in the vehicle. Free entry also covers all-day use activities such as fishing. To qualify, veterans need to present valid proof of military service.

For the general public, Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will have a $20 per vehicle entry fee on Monday.

Those fishing need a state fishing license, required for anyone 16 and older. The state fishing license is not sold at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park but can be purchased at retailers.

Anglers must use unopened and unused baits only.

The lake will be stocked with catfish on Friday.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, the first in the county park system named in honor of veterans, is located at 58075 Jefferson Street, La Quinta. For more information, call 760-564-4712.

“Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is a beautiful place to spend the day, to walk, hike, go fishing, or horseback riding, and just relax and enjoy nature,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We welcome veterans, their families and the community to enjoy Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park this Memorial Day weekend.”

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is operated by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District via a lease with the Coachella Valley Water District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The park features flags of each military branch, dedication plaques, lighting and landscaping pathways.