San Clemente Plans Memorial Day Events

From the San Clemente City Manager:

San Clemente, CA - The City of San Clemente invites the public to join community leaders on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th as they commemorate fallen soldiers of war. The program is held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center lawn which is located at 100 N. Calle Seville in San Clemente.

The featured keynote speaker is Colonel Willard Buhl, retired U.S. Marine Corps. Colonel Willard Buhl enlisted in the Marine Corps in October of 1981 and earned the rank of Sergeant at Detachment Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company in Reno, Nevada, before being accepted into a commissioning program. Trained as an Infantry Officer, he has led from the platoon to regimental level to include infantry battalion command of 3d Battalion, 1st Marines in combat in Iraq. Colonel Buhl is also very proud to have led the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment and has worn the French Fourragere at both the Fifth and Sixth Regiments. A resident of San Clemente for 15 of his 34 years of Marine Corps Service, as a retired officer, he currently serves on the Expeditionary Warfare School Faculty at the Marine Corps University Distance Education Program at Camp Pendleton.

The guest speaker is Sergeant Major Jennifer Simmons, Wounded Warrior Battalion (West) at Camp Pendleton. Sergeant Major Simmons personal awards include; the Meritorious Service Medal third award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal fourth award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal second award. In addition to the military speakers, San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker will present the City welcome address, San Clemente Chief of Police Services, Lt. David Moodie will conduct the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Sons of the American Revolution will hold the posting of the colors in full uniform dress. We are pleased to include local volunteers in our ceremonies. Returning this year are Duncan Wilson, and OCFA Firefighter Tommy Harris playing traditional bagpipes and San Clemente High School buglers Patrick Hangan and Caleb Henry playing “Taps”.

The City invites local civic organizations to participate in the presentation of wreaths and floral ceremony. The public is also welcome to bring items of memorabilia of their fallen to exhibit at the Memorial Display area. This program is free to the public. The event is sponsored by the City of San Clemente and supported by U.S. Marine Corps League, South Coast Detachment 022, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Veteran’s of Foreign War, Post #7142, as well as many military, civic and local business organizations. Seating is limited. Please come early to ensure time to find parking.

Later this same day, the public is invited to attend a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi at 2:00 p.m. sponsored by the Heritage of San Clemente and the City of San Clemente. This ceremony will include a special tribute to the late Al Ehlow, retired San Clemente police chief and U.S. Marine.

For more information about the event at the Community Center, call (949) 361-8264 or (949) 429-8797. For more information about the event at Park Semper Fi, call (949) 498-4958.