Simi Valley Hosts Vietnam Wall Memorial This Weekend At Lemon Park

My hometown of Simi Valley has a population of about 140,000.  But it is a small town.  We have dozens of churches, lots of social clubs like the Rotary, Elks and Kiwanis.  The city government, while it makes some mistakes, is not corrupt.  The School District, while Leftist, does not act like the social justice warriors of San Fran and L.A.  It is a nice town.

Yesterday, we had numerous Memorial Day programs, including the traveling version of the Viet Nam Wall.  All events were well attended.  On the streets of Simi Valley, we have flags flying from the lampposts, with the names of Simi Valley residents currently in the military.  This is a town that cares.

“On Monday, Memorial Day itself, two other services will offer space for remembrance. A Memorial Day Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery, 1380 Fitzgerald Road, with Archbishop Jose Gomez presiding. The Mass will also be livestreamed at CatholicCM.org and on Facebook at LA Catholics for those who wish to attend virtually.

At the same hour, the Annual Simi Valley Memorial Day program will take place at Pioneer Cemetery, 1461 Thompson Lane. Local civic organizations will place flags at each veteran’s grave before the program begins. This year’s ceremony will be brief—about 30 minutes—to allow attendees to travel together to the Vietnam Memorial Wall for continued remembrance.”

Simi Valley is a caring town.

Simi Valley Hosts Vietnam Wall Memorial This Weekend At Lemon Park

Sylvie Belmond, Clair,  5/25/25    https://clair.id/2025/05/23/simi-valley-hosts-vietnam-wall-memorial-this-weekend-at-lemon-park/

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Memorial Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a call to remember the cost of freedom. This weekend, Simi Valley offers several ways for residents to step away from routine and into reflection, to stand in quiet gratitude for those who gave everything in service to our country.

At the center of the community’s observance is the return of the Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall, a striking, half-scale replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C. The Wall will be open around the clock from Friday, May 23 at 3 p.m. through Tuesday, May 27 at 8 a.m. at Rancho Tapo Community Park and Veterans Plaza, 3700 Avenida Simi. The Opening Ceremony will take place Friday at 5:30 p.m., with Nightly Taps sounding at 10 p.m. each evening. A Closing Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m.

On Monday, Memorial Day itself, two other services will offer space for remembrance. A Memorial Day Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery, 1380 Fitzgerald Road, with Archbishop Jose Gomez presiding. The Mass will also be livestreamed at CatholicCM.org and on Facebook at LA Catholics for those who wish to attend virtually.

At the same hour, the Annual Simi Valley Memorial Day program will take place at Pioneer Cemetery, 1461 Thompson Lane. Local civic organizations will place flags at each veteran’s grave before the program begins. This year’s ceremony will be brief—about 30 minutes—to allow attendees to travel together to the Vietnam Memorial Wall for continued remembrance. The program includes the raising and lowering of the flag, a wreath laying by local Veteran Service Organizations, and the playing of Taps. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

For those who visit the Wall, the impact is immediate and personal. Whether they come to search for a name, leave a note, or simply stand in silence, visitors become part of a shared act of remembrance that reaches beyond generations.

This Memorial Day, Simi Valley invites you to be present—not just for a ceremony or a speech, but for the memory of lives given in our name. Honor them by showing up.