A visitor sits in front of a tombstone at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery where there will be a service on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in commemoration of Memorial Day.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - This coming Monday, May 27, formal Memorial Day services will begin in Dixon at 11 a.m. with a solemn but brief ceremony at the Silveyville Cemetery ‘Tomb of the Unknown’ and the public is invited. There, veterans will offer a prayer and after that, the group will move to the flagpole where they will ‘raise the colors’ while Veteran Roger Schaller plays the TAPS on his trumpet and a message given by American Legion Post 208 Commander Robert Strong.

Citizens will note the large number of flags at the gravesites of veterans that have been placed as part of a long tradition by the Cub Scouts of Pack 253, Golden Empire Council along with Troop 152 Boy Scouts of Dixon.

People bow their heads and listen to a prayer at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Dixon Women's Improvement Club Park.

There are 750 veterans including 16 at Tremont and maybe some out at Binghampton Cemetery, according to Silveyville Cemetery staff.

The one gravesite headstone marked 'Tomb of the Unknown' is dedicated to a deceased U.S. service member whose remains have not been identified. Flags are placed at all known veterans. The Silveyville Cemetery is at 800 South First Street, across from the Dixon May Fair.

The ceremony will then move and continue at 11:30 a.m. to the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club Park at the corner of North First and C Streets. There is a large, engraved marker and flags for the local soldiers who were KIAs (Killed in Action.) It reads, “In memory of those who answered the call to arms and made the supreme sacrifice for their country and for freedom.”

From World War I, there were Clarence Frese and Henry Misfeldt. From World War II, Dixon lost William Barnard, Joseph Bello, Leroy Cagle, Paul Doyle, Ellwood Norton, Keith Revelle, Sr., Lester Rohwer and Gilbert Smith. In the Korean War, Wyatt Duncan, Orlin Toohey, and Burton McNaughton died. In the Vietnam War, deaths included Gerald Ackley, Robert Folsom, and Timothy Tipton. Most recently and in the Iraq War was Shawn G. Adams.

After those services, people are invited to the Veterans Memorial Hall, 1305 North First Street, for some light refreshments.

For the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 5810 Midway Road in Dixon, there will also be a special patriotic program on Saturday, May 25, in commemoration of Memorial Day at 9 a.m. at the flagpole area. The Director of SVNC will welcome guests at this patriotic event which will include the presentation of colors, the National Anthem, playing of taps, and a rifle salute. Placement of flags will occur throughout the day afterwards and visitors are invited to assist.