There are some 865 crosses now on the green grass of Woodward Park that will stay in place through Monday.

Of those crosses, 674 represent Californians that died in the Global War on Terror.

Another 72 — with red poppies attached — 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.

The fallen are the focal point of the Not Forgotten Memorial Weekend Commemoration returning to Woodard Park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after an eight-year hiatus.

“We support our military; we are a very patriotic city,” Mayor Gary Singh said after he was among the volunteers placing the crosses on Thursday. “This is to remember the fallen.”

Singh was a driving force to bring the event back.

Of the nearly $150,000 needed to stage the event, Singh personally contacted businesses, concerns, developers, and others to raise more than $95,000 of that amount. The largest was $20,000 from the main sponsor, Sutter Health.

San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal secured another $50,000 in county funds.

The balance was from $100 donations for individuals to help purchase materials for new crosses.

The City of Manteca — as it did with the original Not Forgotten events as well as other community-based endeavors such as the Christmas parade and Fourth of July parade — is covering costs related to police to patrol the event and solid waste related costs.

The city also has arranged for Manteca Transit shuttle bus service from Orchard Valley to help reduce the traffic impacts on the neighborhood and make it easier for attendees to reach the even without having to park blocks away and walking.

The American Legion 249 Foundation teamed up with the City of Manteca to organize the event. Salaried municipal staff assisted not just as part of their workload but also during their off time.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

There are some 865 crosses now on the green grass of Woodward Park that will stay in place through Monday.

Of those crosses, 674 represent Californians that died in the Global War on Terror.

Another 72 — with red poppies attached — 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.

The fallen are the focal point of the Not Forgotten Memorial Weekend Commemoration returning to Woodard Park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after an eight-year hiatus.

“We support our military; we are a very patriotic city,” Mayor Gary Singh said after he was among the volunteers placing the crosses on Thursday. “This is to remember the fallen.”

Singh was a driving force to bring the event back.

Of the nearly $150,000 needed to stage the event, Singh personally contacted businesses, concerns, developers, and others to raise more than $95,000 of that amount. The largest was $20,000 from the main sponsor, Sutter Health.

San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal secured another $50,000 in county funds.

The balance was from $100 donations for individuals to help purchase materials for new crosses.

The City of Manteca — as it did with the original Not Forgotten events as well as other community-based endeavors such as the Christmas parade and Fourth of July parade — is covering costs related to police to patrol the event and solid waste related costs.

The city also has arranged for Manteca Transit shuttle bus service from Orchard Valley to help reduce the traffic impacts on the neighborhood and make it easier for attendees to reach the even without having to park blocks away and walking.

The American Legion 249 Foundation teamed up with the City of Manteca to organize the event. Salaried municipal staff assisted not just as part of their workload but also during their off time.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com