By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Effort to stage Memorial Weekend event short manpower
100 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
memorial crosses
American Legion Post 249 Karleen Kurys, Post member Jeff Aksland, and Councilman Dave Breitenbucher with one of the many remaining that either need to be painted or put together and painted this Saturday during a work party starting at 8 a.m. at the Legion Hall in downtown Manteca.

A dramatic drone glow show is set.

Numerous bands have been lined up including the Air Force Band.

Attractions such as a car show, food vendors, military displays, kids zone, helicopter flyovers and much more have been arranged as has a Patriots’ Pavilion to help apprise veterans of various services available to them.

But what isn’t falling into place for the return of the three-day Memorial Weekend Commemoration at Woodward Park is the manpower needed at various times over the course of the event.

As of Monday, organizers had 28 volunteers. They need at least another 72.

The three-day event, which in the past has drawn between 20,000 and 30,000, people over the three days is designed to remember the sacrifices of those who served and did not return home and honor veterans.

The intent is not just honor Manteca veterans but those throughout San Joaquin County and the region.

And there are a lot of veterans to honor.

Based on the 2020 Census, Manteca has 3,786 residents that are veterans.

The 7,000 plus crosses that were placed symbolizing each of the fallen in service to the United States in the Global War on Terror before the event went on an eight-year hiatus were discarded as they were worse for the wear.

That — plus the fact the event will cost well in excess of $100,000 to stage — prompted the idea of selling cross sponsors at $100 apiece.

The $100 donation will help fund the 865 crosses that will be placed as well as assist with other costs of the event.

Of those crosses, 674 will represent Californians that died in the Global War on Terror. The other 72 — that will have red poppies attached — will represent all of the Manteca residents killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean Warr, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror.

Details on how to donate to the cross effort can be found at the website, thememorialweekend.org.

The Legion hopes to have enough volunteers this weekend to finish building and painting the crosses. A work party is set for Saturday, May 9, at 8 a.m. at the Legion Hall in the 200 block of West Yosemite Avenue in downtown Manteca.

Those that may be able to help volunteers during the event as well as for set up are asked to call Tracy Matilla at 209-679-1690 or Aksland at 209-608-0288.