Memorial Day events in SLO County include drive-through remembrance, flyover and more
Linda Hood visits her husband’s grave each week at the Los Osos Valley Mortuary & Memorial Park.
On Monday, she was in tears after a particularly difficult day of missing the late Michael G. Hood, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran who died on Jan. 19, 2019, at the age of 72.
“I miss him so much,” Hood said. “I miss his laugh. I miss him being there every day. We were together for 53 years.”
The Los Osos Valley Mortuary & Memorial Park held a different kind of Memorial Day remembrance this year, as locals drove through the cemetery, many with flags.
A flyover took place at 11 a.m. as the Estrella Warbirds formed a V with three planes: a Cessna 172, flown by Ben Heaston; a Stinson L-5E, piloted by George Marrett; and a L-16 Aeronca manned by Wayne Rice.
The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos handed out free hot dogs and sodas to those rolling through, some in vintage cars such as a white 1965 Morgan.
Some expressed their emotions by kneeling or placing flowers at gravesites.
“My father, Lee Roy Harrison, trained bomber crews, B17s and B24s, in World War II,” said Robert Harrison of Templeton. “He lived to be 92 and died in 2017. We came here to honor (his gravesite). It’s such a beautiful day out here.”
A different kind of event
Fidel Franco, the general manager of the mortuary and park, said that a car passed through at least every few minutes in the loop throughout the morning, many adorned with flags or other symbols of red, white and blue.
Small American flags appeared at the gravesites of veterans, including many World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts volunteered to place the flags throughout the cemetery, which includes up to 60 acres of undeveloped property available for future burials and another 50 acres of developed land.
Jimmy Delmore, president of the Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos, said he has participated in the event for the past 17 years. Though this year looked different due to the coronavirus impact, the club wanted to be there.
“They asked us if they could borrow our grill and equipment, and we said ‘No way. We’ll be there cooking,’” said Delmore, whose brother served in Vietnam and his father in World War II. “It’s so important for us to be here. Those who sacrificed gave it all for this country.”
Several other events, including virtual or drive-through remembrances, took place around the county, including a KVEC News Talk 920 AM broadcast countywide with a keynote speech by SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow, a U.S. Army veteran.
Video of the virtual ceremony, including a performance of the national anthem by Rebecca McKinley of Arroyo Grande, can be viewed on the 920 KVEC app, 920KVEC.com or via the KVEC Facebook page.
Hood, who brought her 10-year-old granddaughter with her Monday, said that her husband’s memory remains in her heart.
“He didn’t talk much about his time in Vietnam,” Hood said. “He did say that after coming home, it didn’t feel like veterans were appreciated. But before his passing, he said people did finally appreciate Vietnam vets. ... He’s buried here, but he’s in heaven now.”
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