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East Union Cemetery event a success
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Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
Last weekend, East Union Memorial Cemetery held its 2nd Annual Pioneer Dinner — what a night! We met amid sunflowers and tiny hay bales in the Senior Center, and were able to serve a full house, twice as many as last year. We would like to thank Joe Waltman for cooking a great meal — we heard many compliments about the tasty food. We are also so grateful for the positive coverage we receive from the Bulletin, which raises awareness of this historical treasure in our midst.
We would like to acknowledge the community support we got from local businesses and individuals, and to give a huge thank you to the following:  Addi Micheletti; Applebee’s; Bank of Stockton; Bob’s Pharmacy; Casino Real Inc.; Center Appliance; Clear Drop Car Wash; Damsel in Defense - Sara Din; Delicato Winery; Ron & Susan Dell’Osso; Sue Elizondo; Victoria Estrada; Cindy Hildebrand, Monet; Home Depot; LuLaRoe by VK Fancy Pants; Mountain Mike’s Pizza; Nikki Trionfo; P.L. Fry & Son; Raymus Homes; Sadie’s Salon; SaveMart, Main Street; Sterling Price 1343, UDC; Target, Manteca; Tinnin’s 1A Quick Smog & Test Only; Tony & Mrs. K’s Bakery Cafe; Tubb’s Electric; and Walgreen’s, Lathrop. 
Dozens of family and friends were recruited to help with the dinner, and they donated time, energy, and material goods so that we could have a successful fund-raiser.  We would especially like to recognize the support shown to us by members of American Legion Post #249 and VFW Post #6311 — they came out in force to help with set-up and clean-up. This was in addition to their regular volunteer help at the cemetery — digging graves, setting up for funerals, honoring veterans who have passed, and many other jobs we ask them to do.  We really love and value our local veterans!
Most of all we want to express our gratitude for the support shown to the cemetery over the last two years from you, the people in our local communities.  Your donations have gone toward the purchase of over 50 new trees during the last year; to the repair of our backhoe and mowers; to the recent trimming of the palm trees; to a computer and accompanying software specific to organizing cemetery records; and to other maintenance and upkeep projects large and small. 
We continue to be an all-volunteer force for now, but we are excited to announce that we do have a licensed cemetery manager — James A. Carter, Jr.  We are also ready to apply for a new license for the cemetery — the application will be mailed to the state this week, and we will wait anxiously to hear back from them.  We will definitely make a big announcement when we officially get licensed.
Thank you again to our fellow citizens for your faith in those trying to preserve this little spot of hallowed pioneer ground. We appreciate so much the public’s willingness to cherish and respect the wishes of early settlers who donated land to honor their deceased relatives. Our goal as a board is to continue to honor and value this sacred place, in perpetuity.

 Board members and Friends of
 East Union Memorial Cemetery