Fallon, Fernley conduct Memorial Day ceremonies

Memorial Day recognizes servicemen and women who died, either serving their country in war or in peacetime.

Four activities are scheduled for Monday. The service begins at 11 a.m. at the Fallon Cemetery’s veterans’ plot. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002, American Legion Post 16, the Marine Corps League and Fleet Reserve Association conduct the remembrance.

After the Fallon ceremony, the military organizations will hold a ceremony at the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Cemetery at noon, and finish the day at The Gardens at 1 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to return to the cemetery on Memorial Day at 5 p.m. to pick up the flags.

Highland Village has a Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m., while the ceremony at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley begins Monday at 11 a.m.

The Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition has organized the event along with the cemetery’s staff and is scheduled to be attended by Gov. Brian Sandoval, who also serves as the state’s command-in-chief of the Nevada National Guard. The cemetery is located at 14 Veterans Way.

In preparation for Monday’s ceremonies, the public is invited to attend the flag placement ceremonies and assist in placing flags at each gravesite in the cemeteries. Flag placing begins at 8 a.m.

“The flag placement is a big part of Monday’s event,” said NNVMC Administrator, Wes Block. “We have families with their children and people of all ages come together to join in and help create a great atmosphere for Monday’s event.”

The executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services said the ceremonies are important to remember those who served.

“Each of our cemetery staffs are very dedicated to ensure Memorial Day ceremonies respectfully remember Veterans who have served and now lie in a place of honor,” said Caleb Cage. “We are very appreciative of the assistance with these ceremonies for veterans organizations throughout the state whose members continue honor the memory of veterans not only on this day, but through their daily selfless throughout the year.”