by Katrina Foley, Vice Chair of OC Board of Supervisors
On Memorial Day, we stand in mourning and remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice made by the countless men and women of our Armed Forces. We also remember the lives of more than 30,000 service members lost to suicide in the 24 years following 9/11. Their dedication to defending our great nation ensures that we can stand freely in this paradise we call home.
For all those we lost, the County finally designated our 150-acre Veterans Cemetery, creating a long overdue resting place at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim. In 2022, we committed $20 million in county funding to the project and planted the first flag. In April, the State Assembly unanimously approved AB571 to allow the construction and we secured $30 million additional toward the project. The County of Orange, CalVet, and the Orange County Cemetery District worked to finalize a shared-cost agreement to streamline operations and long-term maintenance. With each milestone, our collective efforts — legislative, legal, and financial — turn momentum into reality. The vision is clear. The plan is in place. And the path is forward. Orange County’s 105,000 veterans have waited long enough — now is the time to deliver. Our Orange County veterans and fallen service-members deserve a permanent resting place close to their families and homes, and I am proud to support it.
To the families of fallen service members, we offer our deepest respect, acknowledging your strength, sacrifice, and resilience on this day and every day. We must use this somber occasion to re-educate ourselves and our children, protect history, and recognize the ultimate sacrifices of heroes not only in death but during life. Freedom isn’t free. We will never stop working to build a more perfect Union, in memory of our courageous service members, and in service to their enduring legacy of liberty and justice for all.
Join me in honoring Memorial Day at events across the Fabulous Fifth District:
- A special presentation of the Marine Corps traditional Empty Boots ceremony will be held in Dana Point at Pines Park (34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point, CA 92624) on May 26, from 10 – 11 am.
- Join the Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars from 11 am – 12:30 pm on May 26, 2025 at Monument Point in Heisler Park (375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), with bagpipes, an honor guard, speakers, and a wreath presentation.
- Honor our fallen servicemembers and our service families on Balboa Island from 12 – 2 pm, at Balboa Island Park (109 Agate Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92662).
- At Laguna Niguel’s Sea Country Community Center, commemorate Memorial Day from 12 – 1:30 pm at (24602 Aliso Creek Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677). This tribute will feature color guard, live music, special guest speaker author Dan Heller, and concluding with a recognition of our veterans and a wreath placement ceremony.
- At San Clemente Community Center (100 N Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672), honor Memorial Day from 11 am – 12 pm.
- At Castaways Park in Newport Beach, honor Memorial Day and our stars and stripes at the Field of Honor (700 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660).
- Honor Memorial Day in Irvine at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park (4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606) beginning at 10 am. A Commanding Officer from Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion will lead a reflective tribute. For those wishing to express their gratitude, the City will provide cards for you to write messages of support and appreciation to the members of Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion.
Every year, I look forward to honoring Flag Day and the United States Army’s birthday on June 14 at 2pm. Join me in planting 250 flags at Dana Point’s Baby Beach on June 12, in anticipation for the event. Our Flag Day festivities will include my annual Flag Day Ceremony, where we honor our stars and stripes with birthday cake, and celebrate Orange County’s venerable veteran community. The flags of freedom will fly honorably June 12-16 for residents to enjoy.
Stay tuned for our latest updates by following my social media @supervisorfoley and signing up for my weekly newsletter d5.ocgov.com/newsletter.
