Local Memorial Day Ceremonies will be held at both the Phelan VFW Post 5415 and at the Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11am. All members of the public are invited to participate in honoring local veterans and remembering those who gave their lives in service to the country.
The Phelan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9415, located at 4892 Nielson Road, welcomes the Tri-Community to attend its annual Memorial Day Ceremony beginning with the raising of the American flag by the local Boy Scout Troop. Following the flag ceremony, the Serrano High School Choir will perform a patriotic medley. The ceremony will also include a formal flag retirement presented by the Boy Scouts, a tradition held each year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Community members who have worn or damaged U.S. flags in need of retirement may drop them off at any time in the designated flag depository, which is an old mailbox located at the front of the VFW hall. The event will conclude with a community potluck lunch. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share. In addition to the Memorial Day ceremony, members of the VFW and its Auxiliary will be distributing red remembrance poppies in front of the Stater Bros market in Phelan from May 22 through May 25 at various times. The poppy has long served as a symbol of the sacrifices made by members of the military and remains a central part of Memorial Day observances across the nation. The tradition of wearing a red poppy originated from the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae on May 3, 1915.
Wrightwood’s 18th annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Park located on Evergreen Road, between Park Drive and Pine Street. The solemn and meaningful event will begin with the presentation of colors by Fort Irwin Color Guard. Pastor Dave will deliver both the invocation and benediction. Bonnie Bishop will sing the National Anthem followed by special guest speakers. A new feature will be the presentation of the 1st Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Scholarship. The Wrightwood Singers, under the direction of Lora Steinmann will perform the “Songs of Service” while veterans stand up to their military branch song to be recognized. Also the presentation of the newest Honor Bricks that have been added to the Memorial Park will be announced, as local Girl Scout Troops will participate in the annual Laying of the Wreath. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of Taps.
