Fountain Valley presents small, socially distanced Memorial Day event for a virtual audience
By Orange County on May 25, 2020
Fountain Valley Police Cpl. Brent Emmerson lowers the flag to half staff during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
VFW Post 9557 Auxiliary members Joanne Sundell and Laura Chermak, from left, place a wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Sisters JacLynn, MacKenzie and DeLaney Sheppard sing the National Anthem during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors salute the flag as the National Anthem is sung during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The flag is honored during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fountain Valley Police Cpl. Brent Emmerson honors the flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
VFW Post 9557 Commander Alan Marcum and Fountain Valley Mayor Cheryl Brothers salute the flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chaplain Richard Sundell with VFW Post 9557 speaks during a Memorial Day flag raising ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, May 25, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The event was small and the audience virtual. Still, Fountain Valley managed to pull off a Memorial Day ceremony despite stay-at-home restraints to curb the coronavirus.
In normal times, Fountain Valley hosts a Memorial Day observance that brings more than 100 people to its Veterans Park behind City Hall.
The West Orange County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9557 conducts a rifle salute and bugle solo of “Taps.” The Fountain Valley High School band performs patriotic music. State and local dignitaries make speeches.
But this year’s event, on Monday, May 25, was pared back to just a handful of participants in a flag raising ceremony.
“We are extremely disappointed, but it can’t be helped,” said Alan Marcum, the VFW post’s commander. “Many of our members are in a vulnerable age group. Health is our primary concern this year.”
Rather than in person, residents could watch from home. The ceremony was streamed live on the Fountain Valley Community Foundation Facebook page.
Mayor Cheryl Brothers made a brief speech before socially distanced VFW members performed their ritual. Per tradition, the flag was raised and then lowered to half-staff in recognition of those who have lost their lives while serving in the military.
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