Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
Manteca is such a wonderful, patriotic community! Over the next two weeks we will have:  the Vietnam War Mural dedication at 11 a.m. today; a “Fill the Helmet” event on May 27 from 10 to 2 p.m. at the same location (Main & Yosemite) to raise money for the WWI mural — the last veteran mural of the series; and there will be two separate tributes on May 29 to honor veterans who have given their all in service to their country. The events at the Manteca Veterans’ Ccenter were well-described in a Bulletin article on May 18, and I’m not only excited to visit the hall and see the display, I’m grateful for those who will prepare and serve a great meal for our local veterans. 
There will indeed be a Memorial Day service at East Union Memorial Cemetery, at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29. In addition to the posting of colors and reading the names of those locally who were killed in action, our speaker will be Chuck Crutchfield. He is well-known locally for his service to the community, including leadership roles with the Manteca Boys and Girls Club, Manteca Chamber of Commerce, Give Every Child A Chance, and the Pumpkin Fair, among others. Mr. Crutchfield is the son of a career soldier, and his  granddaughter will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Light refreshments will be served.
I think it’s awesome that people here want to honor our veterans, and that there is more than one way to show that love and respect. We feel that our job, as volunteer caretakers of East Union Memorial Cemetery, is to have the cemetery ready and beautiful for anyone who wishes to honor the fallen. We invite the public to attend the EUMC ceremony, as well as the events at the VFW center.  Please come by the cemetery anytime over the Memorial Day weekend, and take note of the 350 plus veterans interred here. I like to think those who have served our country, both living and dead, are pleased and honored by the love shown for them in this town.

Janice Zacharias
EUMC Board President