Memorial Day Services with BTSD updated
Memorial Day provides many opportunities to share our gratitude for those who have passed away … please join us!
After nearly a two-year absence, in-person Memorial Day weekend activities will return.
There are four opportunities this weekend, and we especially urge you to join the Temple as it hosts the event on Monday, May 30, at the Mt. Hope Cemetery (see below for details). Information on all these events follows. Note: We are updating this article Sunday afternoon so will start with activities planned for Monday.
Monday, May 30
Morning: 9:30 a.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery
Shown above is the modest Japanese American Veterans Memorial, on the south side of Norman’s Way in the Mt. Hope cemetery. Right is a Google Street view showing the flagpole.
The temple will host the community interfaith memorial service on Monday at Mt. Hope Cemetery along with the Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ and San Diego Japanese Christian Church.
Let’s support Rev. Laverne and President LuAnn Lee to join them in representing the Temple, especially as we are leading the service.
The service begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Japanese section next to the Japanese American Veterans Memorial and flagpole. We believe there will be enough people and chairs set up and even some canopies so the location should be easy enough to find. The main entrance to Mt. Hope Cemetery is from the south side of Market Street, just East of Costco.
The street entering the cemetery is Horton Avenue, Continue on Horton Avenue. You will be turning right on Norman’s Way. This is the third right available to you upon entering via Horton Avenue. The Japanese-American section of the cemetery will be up aheaqd and we believe you will be able to find the memorial program up ahead.
Late Morning: 11:30 a.m. at Cypress View Mausoleum and Mortuary (Hall of Peace Columbarium)
Also on Monday, Rev. Laverne Imori will officiate the temple’s memorial service at Cypress View Mausoleum and Mortuary at 11:30 a.m. Many the Temple members subscribed for niches in the indoor Masuoleum in a section open to members of the Japanese-American community before the area was opened up to all. The area is now called the Hall of Peace.
The Mausoleum is on the southwest side of the curved intersection of Imperial Avenue and 40th Street. Some signage may also refer to El Camino Memorial, which is now part of Cypress View.
Saturday, May 28. This event has already happened.
Calexico, El Centro, Brawley. On Saturday, Rev. Laverne Imori will conduct the Imperial Valley cemetery services at Calexico at 9 a.m., El Centro at 10:30 a.m. and Brawley at 11:30 a.m. If you wish to travel and participate in the services, contact Ralph Honda at rkhonda205@gmail.com. As this web article is posted, the Temple office is closed, but if you see the article the evening of Friday, May 27, you can still contact Mr. Honda.
Sunday, May 29. This event has already happened.
Ft. Rosecrans. On Sunday, Rev. Laverne Imori will conduct a memorial service at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. The service will start at 11 a.m.
Let us all take advantage of this weekend to remember loved ones who helped make our lives what they are today.