The U.S. Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment will be the focus of a special salute Monday, May 30, at the 73rd Annual Fullerton Memorial Day Observance.
The program, which will begin at 10 a.m., will be held at Loma Vista Memorial Park. Free to the public, the program is sponsored by the nonprofit American Veterans Memorial Association and the City of Fullerton.
Special guest speaker will be Col. Antonio A. Aguto Jr., commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment stationed at Ft. Irwin.
Aguto will arrive at the ceremony aboard an Orange County Sheriff’s Department Helicopter. Once the helicopter lands, he will be escorted to the podium by JROTC cadets from Fullerton Union and Troy high schools.
The oldest continuous Memorial Day ceremony in North Orange County, Fullerton's program began in 1939 when C. Stanley Chapman, son of the city's first mayor, began the tradition of placing a small white cross and an American flag at the grave of each veteran at Loma Vista.
This year, community volunteers will place a cross and flag on more than 3,800 veterans’ graves throughout the cemetery.
Commissioned in 1901, the 11th Cavalry is considered by many to be, as writer Tom Clancy noted in his book "Executive Order,” the premier regiment in the U.S. Army. Nicknamed “Blackhorse,” the regiment now serves as the opposing force in exercises designed to train Army battalion and brigade task forces in tactical and operational level skills under near-combat conditions.
Sharing the Memorial Day podium with Aguto will be Ed Paul, adjutant of Fullerton American Legion Post 142 and coordinator of the American Veterans Memorial Association, who will serve as master of ceremonies.
Patriotic music will be sung by Dave Deno, creative director for radio stations KKLA, KRLA and KFSH, and Kristen Romero. Officers from the Fullerton Police Department will present the gun salute, and “Taps” and “Echo” will be played.
Members of the G Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station will assist with the wreath-laying ceremony.
Participating in the observance will be the Fullerton Firefighters' Association, the Fullerton Police Color Guard, the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, Fullerton American Legion Post 142 and the Post’s Commanders Club, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fullerton Emblem Club 469, Fullerton Rotary, Fullerton Saturday A.M. Y’s Mens Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution – Mojave Chapter.
Also assisting with the program will be the Buena Park Emblem Club 340, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, Fullerton Elks Lodge 1993, GFWC Ebell Clubs of Fullerton and Placentia, Placentia American Legion Auxiliary Unit 277, Womens Club of Fullerton, Fullerton Knights of Columbus Council 4018, Cub Scout Pack 1218, and Greenleaf Gardens Masonic Lodge 670.
Loma Vista Memorial Park is located at 701 E. Bastanchury Road, east of Harbor Boulevard.
