Riverbank’s Mayor, City Council and city staff organized another Memorial Day ceremony; it was staged midday Monday, May 26 at the Veterans Wall in front of the Community Center.

Hosted by Mayor Rachel Hernandez, it began at 11:30 a.m., with a Presentation of Colors by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, at the ends of that wall.

Almost all of the participants in the program are veterans, as listed in the printed program.

The National Anthem was sung a cappella by James Greer. Invocation was by Reverend Charles Neal.

Guest speaker was California Fifth District Congressman Tom McClintock, who reviewed the meaning of the day. He noted that, as a federal lawmaker, he has spoken often about the responsibilities of freedom and the deep debt we owe to those who defend it.

Next, Mayor Hernandez read a poem, titled “It is The Soldier.”

In part, the verse notes: “It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion; It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press; It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.”

It ends with the verse “It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.”

Following the mayor’s remarks, the Sheriff’s Honor Guard performed a flag folding and presentation, just as they would over a coffin bearing a veteran.

Next came a performance of “Amazing Grace,” by students Jasmine Marie Diaz and Peyton Shrider.

Councilman Luis Uribe, an Air Force veteran, read a roll call list of the Riverbank veterans whose names appear on the wall.

The laying of the wreath at the Veterans Wall was carried out by Marine veteran George Retana, assisting the mayor and council members.

That was followed by the playing of Taps by dual buglers. Next, Retana raised the flag in front of the Veterans Center to full staff.

By tradition, on Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff from the beginning of the day, to honor those lost, then raised to full staff at noon.

The Honor Guard retired their colors, and Mayor Hernandez concluded the event by inviting the crowd to enjoy some refreshments.