Santa Cruz commemorates 150th Memorial Day
More than 100 people joined the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and local military and veterans organizations at Evergreen Cemetery Monday to commemorate Santa Cruz’s 150th Memorial Day.
The traditional remembrance featured musical and spoken tributes from local community leaders, veterans and military.
“Memorial Day signifies a point of reference for the country as to who we are, why we are still able to be here and function as we do and it’s because of the sacrifice of those people before us,” Cold War-era Veteran Robert Nelson said.
The event featured a procession with veterans from the community, a rifle salute by reenactors and remarks from Santa Cruz Mayor Cynthia Chase.
“(I’d encourage people) to remember, recognize and honor those who have served and are serving and those who are still affected by their service and to thank them,” Chase said.
It also featured a pop up museum where people could learn more about those who have served the country.
The museum is now working to transform the Grand Army of the Republic plot at the cemetery where Civil War veterans are buried into a more active site of public history.
“Being able to come together and really honor and protect the legacy of these stories and the people who have given so much to our community is incredibly important,” Nina Simon with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History said.
