2024 Memorial Day Concert, Ceremony & Reception (San Rafael)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Local military veterans organizations in Marin County are inviting the community to join them in paying respects to fallen servicemembers during a Memorial Day event starting at 9 AM Monday, May 27, in San Rafael.

The location of the annual ceremony has changed because of a construction project at the Civic Center complex. In the past few years, the ceremony has taken place in front of the military monuments at the corner of Civic Center Drive and Avenue of the Flags. However, the repaving of the adjacent Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium parking lot has prompted organizers to move the gathering inside nearby Exhibit Hall, on the grounds of the Marin County Fairgrounds. Plenty of parking will be available at 20 Avenue of the Flags behind the auditorium.

The ceremony’s guest speaker is Mike McCarron, a former U.S. Navy flight officer and retired captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves. After completing his active duty, McCarron was a professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and served 22 years in top administrative roles at San Francisco International Airport. More recently, he led marketing and communications for the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum at the Alameda-based aircraft carrier.

The annual tradition of honoring servicemembers who lost their lives in conflicts will be hosted by led by the Marin County United Veterans Council. The Memorial Day event will start at 9 AM with patriotic songs played by the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band. Once the ceremony begins at 9:30 AM, the United Veterans Council will have a color guard and flag raisers, and local elected officials and veterans group representatives will be recognized. After ceremonial wreaths are laid at the foot of the statues, “Taps” will be played to conclude the ceremony, and guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.