Memorial Day Ceremony

May 25, 2020
 Sugar Land Memorial Park
15300 University Blvd.
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Memorial Day Ceremony 2019

The City of Sugar Land hosted its 11th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2019, at Sugar Land Memorial Park to commemorate service members who died in active military service. The program theme was “Remembering our Heroes and The Sacrifice of Service Members.” As a prelude to the program, The Lone Star Band, presented a 60-minute patriotic concert.

Kempner High School, JROTC facilitated the Presentation of Colors and BSA Troops 731 and 1731 lead the Pledge of Allegiance and a Wreath Ceremony.

A series of military tributes commenced with a formation flyover, concluding with a missing man pull, presented by volunteer pilots and members of the Houston Commemorative Air Force. The Houston Commemorative Air Force has lead the tribute since 2014. The Sugar Land Police Department Honor Guard also facilitated a 21-gun salute.

Sugar Land Mayor Joe R. Zimmerman officially announced that the names of Sergeant Lonnie Green and Private First Class Arthur DeHart, who served in the United States Army, are engraved inside of the walls of Remembrance Tower at Sugar Land Memorial Park. Their names join the distinguished list of service members from Sugar Land who died while on active duty.

To celebrate American Legion’s Centennial Anniversary, a video tribute was presented to highlight the civic organization’s mission and accomplishments. In addition, a District Commander of American Legion who oversees Fort Bend County was a program speaker. Other American Legion officials present included: Holly Soria from the American Legion National Headquarters and several members of Sugar Land’s American Legion Raymond Freeman Post 942. Event attendees gained additional insight about the American Legion organization with an opportunity to examine the American Legion’s travelling Exhibit: “The Greatest Legislation: An American Legion Centennial Salute to the GI Bill.” The exhibit was featured at the Memorial Day ceremony and has been touring the country since its debut in June 2017. In addition, the 6th Calvary Historical Association presented an extensive static military vehicles exhibit.

Patriotic music tributes were performed the 2019 Sugar Land Junior Superstar Winner Dean Marino and vocalist Brenda Ellis. The ceremony closed with a traditional flag observance led by BSA Troops 731 and 1731.

Attendees visited with a host of community organizations on site. To assist with heating conditions, The Sugar Land Rotary Club distributed 1,200 bottles of free water to attendees. Other vendors provided a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, active-duty service members (including guardsmen and reservists) and their families. Among the community organizations exhibits children enjoyed creative stations to design patriotic art.