Memorial Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Please join us on Memorial Day for a very special program as we honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

On Memorial Day in 1984, President Reagan spoke at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  While delivering remarks, he said, “The unknown soldier who was returned to us today and whom we lay rest is symbolic of all our missing sons. And we will present him with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration that we can bestow. About him we may well wonder as others have. As a child, did he play on some street in a great American city? Or did he work beside his father on a farm out in America’s Heartland? Did he marry, did he have children? Did he look expectantly to return to a bride? We’ll never know the answers to these questions about his life.”

In 1998, the soldier mentioned in the President’s remarks was identified through DNA as United States Air Force First Lieutenant Michael Blassie.  He had been killed in action during the Vietnam War in May 1972.  For this year’s Memorial Day Commemoration at the Reagan Library, we are honored to have as our keynote Michael Blassie’s sister, United States Air Force Colonel Patricia Blassie (retired).  Our program also includes a flyover, a Color Guard, live music, and remarks by Gold Star Family Member Tony Cordero.

The program is free to attend, however reservations are recommended by clicking here.  The program will be held outdoors at the Reagan Library’s Gold Star Family Memorial Monument.  Admission applies for those who also want to tour the Reagan Museum and our new exhibit, Defending America & The Galaxy: Star Wars and SDI.

Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Live musical entertainment. Los Angeles Police Concert Band and Thomas Baker, Harpist

10:00 a.m. – Program

• Flyover by the Tiger Squadron (weather permitting)

• Color Guard

• Invocation by Naval Base Ventura County Chaplain Aristotle Rivera

• Remarks by Captain Robert Kimnach III, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Ventura County

• Remarks by Tony Cordero, Gold Star Family Member

• Keynote Remarks by Patricia Blassie, Gold Star Family Member

• Taps

• God Bless America