SLO celebrates Memorial Day with a somber ceremony and flyover

A century ago, Civil War veterans first gathered in San Luis Obispo to memorialize their fallen fellow veterans. More than 100 people gathered Monday to observe Memorial Day at the San Luis Cemetery Mausoleum and Memorial Gardens.

Monday’s ceremony, hosted by American Legion San Luis Obispo Post 66, included prayers, poetry, songs and a recitation of the “Gettysburg Address” by Stewart Jenkins as Abraham Lincoln.

Flag ceremonies were conducted by Boy Scout Troops 6 and 322.

The Central Coast U.S. Naval Sea Cadets presented the flag and placed a floral wreath.

Historic military aircraft performed a flyover, one of eight at various Memorial Day ceremonies around San Luis Obispo County. The flyovers were organized by Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles.

This story was originally published May 27, 2019 at 2:32 PM.