Memorial Day programs are planned for the upcoming holiday weekend, when veterans organizations and community members will gather at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery and Hills Ferry Cemetery to join the nation in honoring fallen comrades.

Services at the veterans cemetery near Santa Nella will be held Sunday, May 25, at 11 a.m.

This year’s theme honors the U.S. Navy.

Steve Muro, director of field operations for the national cemetery, will be the guest speaker.

The Lemoore Naval Air Station will present the colors, representing all branches of the service, and the U.S. Navy will provide the 21-gun salute.

The Fresno Stag and Thistle band will provide several musical selections. Marsha Silva of Gustine and other vocalists will also participate in the hour-long observance.

A number of military and elected officials or their representatives will be in attendance.

Hills Ferry Cemetery

Local veteran organizations will conduct a Memorial Day program Monday, May 26, at Hills Ferry Cemetery.

The program begins at 11 a.m.

The organizations will place flags and crosses at the graves of 694 veterans, 46 auxiliary members and 11 Gold Star mothers for Memorial Day weekend.

Ed Ford of Newman, will serve as master of ceremonies for the local observance.

Denis Wells, the VFW commander of Post 8327 in Livingston, will be the featured speaker.

Wells is a United States Air Force veteran. He is currently VFW District 13 quartermaster, and a candidate for state VFW junior vice commander.

Silva will also sing at the Hills Ferry Cemetery program.

The Hills Ferry Cemetery program is conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joseph G. Rose Post 7635; American Legion, Manuel M. Lopes Post 240, and their respective auxiliaries.

Community members are invited to attend.