San Rafael - Marin County Memorial Day Ceremony

May 26, 2025, 9 a.m.

Marin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall
20 N. San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA
marinhhs.org

Sergeant First Class Kevin Graves, the father of a fallen U.S. Army soldier from the Iraq war and now a California State Guard Chaplain Assistant, is keynote speaker for Marin County Memorial Day Ceremony. Kevin Graves recently retired as an outreach coordinator for the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

 The annual tradition of honoring servicemembers who lost their lives in conflicts is annually hosted and led by the Marin County United Veterans Council, which represents local veterans organizations and military family support groups.

• Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band  (The Sewer Band) plays  patriotic and military music
• Marin Golden Gate Barbershop Chorus
• Presentation of colors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard
• Bagpiper
• Chaplain invocation and benediction, placement of ceremonial wreaths, and recognition of local elected officials and veterans group representatives
• Reading of the Gettysburg Address by Vietnam Combat Veteran Kermit Kubitz
• Taps
• Display of vintage military vehicles (outdoors)

Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts and visit information tables from veterans' organizations plus an outdoor display of vintage military vehicles from the Joe Garbarino collection. Marin County has lost hundreds of service members during international conflicts around the globe. Names of local military members who gave their lives on duty are etched into the statues along Avenue of the Flags at the Marin Civic Center complex. Sean Stephens, the event’s master of ceremonies, is president of the Marin County United Veterans Council. He leads the Marin County Veterans Services Office, a division of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A U.S. Army combat veteran, Stephens works with his staff to assist military vets who need assistance filling out forms to receive benefits they’ve earned. Vets can get connected to mental health services, medical services, court-related services, social services, tuition aid at local colleges, pensions, military discounts, and death benefits for spouses of those who have served. The Marin HHS Veterans Services is at 10 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, along with the VA Vet Center on site to provide timely assistance to an estimated 10,000 veterans living in the county. Contact the office Mondays through Thursday by calling 415-473-6193 or visit the website.

The public is invited to the annual Memorial Day Ceremony presented by the Marin County United Veterans Council and supported by the Marin County Board of Supervisors. The ceremony is held in front of the military monuments on Avenue of the Flags. Pay homage to America's patriots fallen in the line of duty, with special emphasis on Marin.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.