City Memorial Day Events Set to Remember Fallen Heroes
Moreno Valley patriots are invited to make Monday, May 25th a special Memorial Day with two events to honor and remember fallen military servicemen and women and their families. Memorial Day activities will include a heart stirring parade in the morning and a memorable community gathering at the Moreno Valley Veteran’s Memorial in the afternoon. Together, these two events will create a Memorial Day to remember for Moreno Valley residents.
West Coast Thunder Motorcycle Parade: At 9:30 a.m., the City comes together to enjoy the West Coast Thunder Memorial Day Bike Run/Parade. This tradition ignites the flames of patriotism as thousands of motorcycles will travel through Moreno Valley on Sunnymead Boulevard between Frederick and Heacock Street.
What began as a small motorcycle ride to Riverside National Cemetery by eight close friends in 1999 has grown into West Coast Thunder, the largest biker-supported Memorial Day event west of the Mississippi River. The West Coast Thunder Bike Run/Parade attracts more than 5,000 riders every year.
Motorcycles leave Riverside Harley-Davidson at precisely 9:11 a.m. The parade route begins with a ride to Riverside National Cemetery, then on to Moreno Valley. Riders will exit SR 60 at Frederick Street / Pigeon Pass Road at approximately 10:15 a.m. to ride eastbound along Sunnymead Boulevard and re-enter SR 60 at Heacock Street. The parade will last approximately one hour.
Moreno Valley Police will begin closing the necessary streets at 8:30 a.m. to assist with the security of all pedestrians and vehicles during this event. For road closure details, please visit the City of Moreno Valley’s website at www.moval.org.
Memorial Day Ceremony: At 2 p.m., please join us at the Moreno Valley Veterans Memorial as we honor our fallen heroes. Original Tuskegee Airman, Buford A. Johnson will share his experience serving our great Nation and offer words of thanks and remembrance to those who have served. The growing list of special guests includes:
- Members of the City Council
- Tuskegee Airmen
- Knights of Columbus A. F. Chelbana Assembly
- Moreno Valley Master Chorale
- Canyon Springs High School ROTC Color Guard
- U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Millett Division
Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
The City of Moreno Valley will also be accepting donations of peanut butter and jelly in support of Hangar 385, hospitality service for departing and returning war zone soldiers at March Air Reserve Base.
For more information about the 2015 Memorial Day ceremony, e-mail julier@moval.org or go to www.moval.org.