HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED
The Manteca Bulletin is publishing a tribute to those who have served our country on Saturday, May 27.
Readers who have either served in war or peace or who have loved ones or friends who have are invited to submit information on the men and women who have served America as well as any photos to share with the community.
You can send the information to dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com with Serving America in the subject line or drop it by the Manteca Bulletin, 531 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca, CA, 95336
The deadline is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22
There were 957 Manteca men who went off to war in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Many joined the service before completing studies at Manteca High. Among them were men like Manuel Pimentel and 35 others who never returned home. And while Manteca has honored its war dead with a memorial on the entrance plaza to Library Park, no lasting public honor has been created for others who served and returned. That is until now.
The Memorial Day Weekend activities at Woodward Park will include the display of the American Legion Post 249 tribute listing all of those who served in World War II who were from Manteca. The panels will be dedicated on Memorial Day at East Union Cemetery.
The $3,000 to create the moveable memorial was donated by the community.
A full-day of reflecting on how grateful America is for those who have served in war and not returned will take place at Woodward Park on Sunday, May 27. It will include everything from a C-17 flyover, fun run, static display of military equipment, car show, aerial fireworks, and a USO show to the formal dedication of another panel of those fallen during the past year in The Global War on Terror.
Meanwhile, entries are running way behind for the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 28.
Manteca Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Debby Moorhead notes that there are only five entries so far with the deadline coming up next week.
The entry fee for the parade is $50. It takes place at 11:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 28, along Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Manteca High in downtown Manteca.
For more information call the chamber at 823-6121.