Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26 this year. First celebrated May 30, 1868, the holiday is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.
Saturday
The 9th annual Memorial Day Tribute Ceremony at the State Capitol – Colorado Veterans Monument will be at 11:15 a.m. following the 10 a.m. Memorial Day Parade. The event includes: tributes to heroes past and present; morning wreath laying ceremony; afternoon “fallen” names reading; presentations to military families of Colorado KIA’s; and honor recently identified MIA Major Perry Jefferson from Buckley AFB, lost in Vietnam in 1969.
The event features the USAF Academy Saber Drill Team; Buckley AFB All Branch Color Guard; living history; patriotic holiday inspiration; noted speakers and honored guests. The event includes music by Graham Cadets; Irish Pipe Band; soloist Kathy Murphy and the Highlands Ranch Community Chorus. Info: 303-662-1110, 303-912-9980 or .
The 2008 Denver Memorial Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. near Civic Center Park at Bannock St. The parade will proceed via 14th St. to Court Pl. then to 15th St. and Welton St., east to 17th St., then south on Broadway to 14th Ave. The reviewing stand will be located between Colfax and 14th Ave. on Broadway. “Parade Assembly” starts at 9 a.m. Disbanding of the Parade will be at 14th Avenue and Broadway. The Parade features color guards, floats, bands, marching units, drill teams, living history, vintage and military vehicles. The following RTD bus routes will be detoured during the parade: 0, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 15-LTD, 16, 16L, 20, 28, 32, 48, and 52. Riders should add extra time for their trip. Bus info: 303-299-6000 or RTD-Denver.com.
There will be a free bagpipe performance and dove release at 12:30 p.m. at the Tower of Memories in Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge.
Sunday
Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St., Denver, is having a free “Memorial Day Weekend Walking Tour” at 3 p.m. Meet at the 1890 Gate for this annual walking tour down Fairmount’s Millionaire’s Row. Info: 303-399-0692.
There will be a free bagpipe performance and dove release at 12:30 p.m. at the Tower of Memories in Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge. At 7 p.m. an American Flag skydiving demonstration performed by Colorado Sky Sports. This will be followed by a concert featuring the Queen City Jazz Band in the Pavilion of Reflection at 7:15 p.m. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Monday
The Aurora Veteran Affairs Commission is having a Memorial Day Flag Ceremony and POW/MIA Flag Ceremony at noon at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Ave. at the east flagpoles. There will be a bugler playing taps, young Marines performing drill routine, legislators, house and senate candidates, candidates for other offices and city officials.
Broomfield will have a Memorial Day Picnic from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Broomfield County Commons Park, off of Sheridan Blvd. between 128th and136th Avenue. There will be music, a living history display, dancing and a flyover.
Commerce City’s annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at East 64th Avenue and Newport Street, and ends at the Veteran’s War Memorial at Forest Street and Parkway Drive. The three Grand Marshals for this year’s parade are Lester Arnold, Jack Phares and David Dantzler. For information, contact Leigh Ann Noell at 303-289-3767.
Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 Sheridan Blvd., is having a service at 11 a.m. at the flagpole. Gov. Ritter and Gen. Trulan Eyre, commander of the 140th wing at Buckley Air Force Base will be attend.
The Marine Corps will have a ceremony on Memorial Day at 2:00 pm. It will be at the Marine Corps Memorial at 6th Avenue and Colfax Avenue in Aurora. The program will feature military dogs.
The veterans of the 10th Mountain Division of World War II will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the 10th Mountain Division Memorial Monument at Tennessee Pass. The guest of honor will be LTC Richard G. Greene Jr., Commander, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI).
The Town of Dillon is hosting its annual Memorial Day Service at the Dillon Cemetery, on Highway 6 between Swan Mountain Road and the Town of Dillon at 10 a.m. The service includes bagpipe music by Tami Trudeau, Summit County Boy Scouts Color Guard, Summit Concert Band musical performances, Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, various community speakers, a community sharing session (open mic opportunity for guests to share experiences and memories of lost loved ones0 and Neils Lunceford Memorial Day red poppies. Info: Contact the Town of Dillon at 970-468-2403.
Olinger Chapel Hill, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Littleton, is having an 11:30 a.m. flyover followed by an American Legion Service of Remembrance Victory Court in cooperation with the George C. Evans Post 103. Info: 303-771-3960.
Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, is having Centennial Pipes and Drums parade along the esplanade at 12:30 p.m. A dove release will follow.
Olinger Eastlawn Cemetery, 19600 Smith Road, Aurora, is having a Memorial Day Service of Remembrance at 11 a.m. Info: 303-366-2894.
Olinger Hampden Gardens Mortuary and Cemetery, 8600 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, is having a Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. Bagpiper Scott Beach will play at 11:30 a.m. Info: 303-771-4636.
Olinger Highland Mortuary and Cemetery, 10201 N. Grant St., Thornton, is having its 48th annual Memorial Day Celebration at 10 a.m. The event will be held with VFW Post 7945 and the Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Post 22 and Ladies Auxiliary. Info: 303-451-6674.
Holiday closures and schedule changes
Banks: Closed.
Schools: Closed statewide.
City, county and state offices will be closed.
United States District Court for the State of Colorado will be closed , as will the Colorado Supreme Court, and state and federal courts statewide.
RTD: All buses and light rail run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. For information, call 303-299-6000 or visit rtd-denver.com.
Trash pickup: Trash collection and recycling services in Denver will operate on a one-day-delayed holiday schedule. All suburban trash pickup is by private contractor. Please contact individual provider for trash pickup information.
Parking meters in Denver: Free
