Memorial Day Weekend Ceremony at Bakersfield National Cemetery, May 28

The Bakersfield National Cemetery announces its Annual Memorial Day Weekend Ceremony on Saturday, May 28 at 9 a.m. at their location at 30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA 93203.

The public is invited to this patriotic event as we pay tribute to those who have served our country with dignity and honor. Barry Zoeller, VP of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at Tejon Ranch, will serve as our Master of Ceremonies. The ceremony will include a Garrison flag provided by the Kern County Fire Department, Color Guard by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, National Anthem sung by Eric Dyer, music performances by a local high school band, Keynote speaker from Edwards AFB, remarks from several other speakers, rifle salute by the Associated veterans of Kern County and playing of Taps. Weather permitting, there will be a fly over by the Kern County Fire Department’s Huey Helicopter which saw service as a Medivac helicopter in Vietnam.

Family placement of a small individual U.S. Flag on their loved one’s gravesite will occur Saturday, May 28 from 7-8:30 a.m. Each family will receive one flag to place, and the flags can be picked up in front of the cemetery administrative building. The public is encouraged to assist with placing the remaining flags after the ceremony concludes at approximately 9:45 a.m.

Directions: From Bakersfield, east on SR-58, turn right on SR-223, cemetery is located approximately ½ mile on the right. From Tehachapi, west on SR-58, turn left on SR-223, cemetery is located approximately ½ mile on the right.

Through the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, Congress authorized the addition of six new national cemeteries, including one in the Bakersfield area. The Tejon Ranch Company, which owns the largest contiguous tract of private property in California, quickly offered to donate land for use as a cemetery. It offered a choice of several locations in the White Wolf area and the National Cemetery Administration chose the 500-acre site. The cemetery is surrounded by the 422-square-mile Tejon Ranch.

The final transfer of land took place in 2008. The first interment of cremated remains occurred on July 1, 2009, and the first casketed interment the following day.