The last Monday of May marks Memorial Day, a day to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
A number of events will be held throughout the Coachella Valley to honor those brave military members.
Here are some local options for those looking to celebrate the holiday.
Palm Springs Air Museum Flower Drop
The annual Palm Springs Air Museum Memorial Day Flower Drop returns Monday. During the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m., 3,000 red and white carnations will be dropped from a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home.
In addition to the ceremony, flight exhibitions, kids activities, live music and vendors will be scheduled all day long. Individual tickets and family packs are available for purchase.
When: Flight exhibitions start at 10 a.m., flower drop takes place at 1 p.m., Monday
Where: Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Tickets: palmspringsairmuseum.org/memorial-day-flower-drop
City of Desert Hot Springs Memorial Day celebration
On Monday, the City of Desert Hot Springs will be honoring and remembering the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. The ceremony is also dedicated to the loved ones of fallen soldiers. All are welcome to attend this solemn occasion.
When: 9 a.m. Monday
Where: Veterans Park, 10-101 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Cost: Free
City of Indian Wells Memorial Day ceremony
The City of Indian Wells will host a Memorial Day ceremony from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Indian Wells Golf Resort. Indian Wells residents and the general public are encouraged to attend and pay their respects to fallen military members.
When: 9-10 a.m. Monday
Where: Indian Wells Golf Resort, 44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells
Cost: Free
Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District ceremony
The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District’s Memorial Day ceremony is jam-packed with guests and events. The day begins with a 9 a.m. flyover of the Douglas C-47 Sky Train military transport aircraft (in partnership with the Palm Springs Air Museum and Ernesto Rosales Funeral Pre-Planning). Afterward, Coachella Valley High School choir students will perform a few songs and the ceremony will feature a presentation of wreaths, riffle volley, folding of the flag and more. After the ceremony, at approximately 11:30 a.m. the American Legion Post 739, located at 44-200 Sungold St. in Indio, is hosting a pot-luck luncheon and all are welcome to attend.
When: 9 a.m. Monday
Where: Coachella Valley Cemetery District, 82-925 52nd Ave., Coachella
Cost: Free
Memorial Day Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony
Gold Star families, their friends and all residents of the Palm Desert area are invited to this Memorial Day event sponsored by American Veterans Post 66 and Veterans For Peace. The program will feature an invocation and benediction delivered by the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council in Palm Desert, AMVETS Commander Tom Swann Hernandez will emcee, and Ronald Feath, adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 78, will be one of several guest speakers. Corbett Brattin will recite the World War I poem ”In Flanders Field,” James Tennesson will sing the national anthem and Byron Wirth will play taps. One of the most important segments of the event will be the dedication of a Peace Pole inscribed with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. It will also feature a braille plate.
When: 9 a.m. Monday
Where: Community Rose Garden Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Ave. (corner of Fred Waring Drive), Palm Desert
Cost: Free
Palm Springs Surf Club Military Appreciation Day
The Palm Springs Surf Club will be hosting a Country Splash Pool Party on Monday. Guests can enjoy drinks, food and music from DJs all day long. General admission tickets grants access to the resort pool, lazy river, water slides and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Tickets: palmspringssurfclub.com/country-splash-by-the-big-106
General Patton Memorial Museum Memorial Day Quiet Celebration
Honor America's greatest heroes at the greater Coachella Valley's biggest military museum. Visitors on Memorial Day will experience various exhibits such as the veterans' walls from World War I, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and more. This is a quiet day of observance, reverence and prayer. Save the Date: The museum observes Veterans Day in November with a full day of commemorations, entertainment and activities including tank rides, book signings and guided tours of the museum.
When: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday
Where: General Patton Memorial Museum, 62-510 Chiriaco Road, Chiriaco Summit
Tickets: $10-$18 (but free to active military members, World War II veterans and children under age 7)
More offerings: Agua Caliente Casinos' Memorial Day weekend events and deals
All three Agua Caliente Casinos in the Coachella Valley are planning a number of unique activities for local residents, beginning Friday.
- Cathedral City: Café One Eleven has a number of specials available for patrons, including a half rack of grilled ribs ($26) covered in a chipotle BBQ glaze and served with a side of jalapeno coleslaw, baked beans and grilled corn on the cob. Additionally, guests can enjoy tequila, tacos and dancing during Agave Caliente Tequila Bar’s salsa night on Saturday
- Palm Springs: Caroline Rhea, best known for "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," will perform a comedy set on Saturday. Tickets are available at aguacalientecasinos.com . Live music and other entertainment options are available throughout the weekend as well
- Rancho Mirage: After checking out new menu items at the Wet Bar or classics at Water’s Café, locals can check out a few comedians in town, including Andrew Shulz on Friday and Ray Romano on Saturday. Though Shulz's show is sold-out, tickets are available for Romano at aguacalientecasinos.com
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Memorial Day: 7 Coachella Valley events honoring fallen heroes
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