Ceremonies Honor Veterans and Fallen Service Members
Jun 11, 2026 11:37AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter
Chaplain Don Craig delivers the opening prayer during the Rancho Murieta Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Day ceremony on May 25. Listening, from left, are Greg Verdon, David Walters, Bill McCarver, Post Commander Michael Mineni and Jeni Lawson. Photo by Gail Bullen
Ceremonies Honor Veterans and Fallen Service Members [7 Images]
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RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Three Memorial Day weekend events in Rancho Murieta honored fallen service members, supported veterans in need and paid tribute to the American flag.
The Rancho Murieta Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsored a Buddy Poppy distribution in front of Tractor Supply on May 23 and a Memorial Day ceremony at the Gazebo on May 25. Scout Troop 633 also held a flag retirement ceremony at Lake Calero on Memorial Day evening.
Poppy Drive
Members of the VFW distributed Buddy Poppies outside Tractor Supply on May 23 as part of a nationwide program that has supported disabled and needy veterans since 1922.
Organizer Jennifer Lawson said the event was a great success.
“Tractor Supply has been a great supporter of the VFW,” Lawson said. “They were so amazing and supportive of us being there. We couldn’t be more thankful to them for their hospitality, or more thankful to the community for so generously donating to needy veterans in our community.”
VFW members use the event not only to raise funds for veterans in need but also to help connect veterans and their families with Veterans Administration services.
Memorial Day Service
The Memorial Day service at the Gazebo drew approximately 40 attendees who gathered to remember the men and women who gave their lives in military service.
Post Commander Michael Mineni welcomed the audience and thanked members of the VFW Auxiliary for providing refreshments and organizing a fellowship hour before the ceremony. He also recognized Gold Star families across the nation, noting that more than 1 million Americans have died in defense of the country.
“Memorial Day is not just the start of summer,” Mineni said. “It is a sacred day of remembrance.”
Assistant Post Commander Bill McCarver led the audience in patriotic observances, including the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Don Craig delivered the opening prayer, while Jeni Roland sang the National Anthem.
During his remarks, Mineni reminded attendees that Memorial Day honors generations of Americans who died while serving their country. He also urged continued support for veterans who returned home from war.
“It’s our duty to support and uplift them, ensuring that they have access to the care and resources that they need,” he said.
Several audience members then shared personal reflections. Dan Pennington recalled growing up in Appalachia during the Vietnam era and losing numerous friends who never returned home. He also asked attendees to remember service members currently serving around the world.
McCarver, a former military dog handler in Vietnam, paid tribute to the dogs that served alongside American troops.
“During Vietnam, there were 295 handlers killed, over 500 dogs killed, and we left 4,500 dogs there that didn’t come home,” McCarver said. “So, we remember them, too.”
Mineni also recognized the two oldest veterans in attendance: World War II veteran Richard Fenarol and Korean War veteran Tom Thompson. Their introductions drew warm applause from the audience.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps and a closing prayer by Craig before attendees remained for refreshments and fellowship.
Flag Retirement Ceremony
Later that evening, Scout Troop 633 conducted its annual flag retirement ceremony at Memorial Grove near Lake Calero.
Approximately 10 Scouts participated in the ceremony, which included readings about the history and meaning of the American flag. Retired Navy Capt. Chuck Jamison once again provided patriotic bagpipe music throughout the program.
Scoutmaster Jason Dodson said the troop retired approximately 300 worn and tattered American flags. The event ran from 5 to 8:30 p.m. as the Scouts respectfully placed the flags into the fire one at a time, continuing the tradition of properly retiring American flags that are no longer fit for display.
The ceremony offered a solemn conclusion to a day dedicated to remembering the sacrifices made by generations of American service members and their families.
