Forest Lawn Invites You to Take Part in an Historic Event, Where You Can Meet Historical Figures of the Past and Learn the History of Memorial Day.

GLENDALE, Calif. -- This Historic Event Will Include Performances by Professional Actors Portraying Influential Figures from America's Past, Creating a Living History Celebration

Forest Lawn(R) Memorial-Parks and Mortuaries today announced its Memorial Day and Centennial celebration events will feature a unique and historic perspective of American History in a living format. Professional actors will portray famous historic military figures whose contributions to America's freedom is a key part of the Memorial Day celebration. The free events are expected to attract more than 4,000 Southern Californians as they gather at Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks in Long Beach, Hollywood Hills, Glendale, Cypress, Covina Hills, and Cathedral City.

The 10th annual Hollywood Hills program, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will feature a portrayal of General Douglas MacArthur. The rifle salute will be conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Air National Guard Band will provide patriotic music throughout the event, and a dramatic presentation on the history of Memorial Day will be presented. In addition, there will be a Presidential Proclamation. The ceremony also will include souvenirs, refreshments, and more. Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills is found at 6300 Forest Lawn Dr. in Los Angeles.

Glendale is celebrating the 91st anniversary of its Memorial Day Program and will begin its Centennial Celebration at 1 p.m. with a memorial march at the Little Church of the Flowers and proceed to the burial site of a soldier who served in the Civil War. Civil War Re-enactors from 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry-Company K, including General Ulysses S. Grant, will be highlighted. A civil war band, The Band of the California Battalion, will play music throughout the event, as well as their rendition of TAPS, and a Presidential Proclamation will be given. A Civil War musket and cannon salute will complete the event. The ceremony also will include souvenirs, refreshments, and more. Forest Lawn-Glendale is located at 1712 S. Glendale Blvd. in Glendale.

Sheriff Lee Baca, Commander, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, USMC Reserves, will keynote the 20th annual Memorial Day celebration at Long Beach. Sheriff Baca commands the largest Sheriff's Department in the United States with more than 15,000 sworn and professional staff whom provide law enforcement to 41 incorporated cities, 90 unincorporated communities, nine community colleges, and hundreds of thousands of daily commuters of the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Rapid Rail Transit District. In addition, he is the Director of Homeland Security-Mutual Aid for California Region I, which serves 13 million people.

Known for incorporating innovative best practices into his leadership style based on pro-active, progressive problem solving, Sheriff Baca has succeeded in providing strong solutions to problems such as drug addiction, domestic violence, homelessness, gangs, illiteracy, at-risk youth, parenting, and the quality of life in neighborhoods. He also manages four non-profit Youth Athletic League Centers serving at-risk youth in after-school programs involving academics, sports, and cultural arts.

Sheriff Baca developed the Office of Independent Review, comprised of six civil rights attorneys who manage all internal affairs and internal criminal investigations concerning alleged misconduct by Department personnel. This unique model of civilian oversight is a natural model of police accountability. Sheriff Baca earned his Doctorate of Public Administration Degree from the University of Southern California. He is a life member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, USC Chapter. A strong advocate of education, he developed the LASD University in conjunction with five universities where over 900 members of the department are enrolled in bachelor's and master's degree programs.

A portrayal of General Dwight D. Eisenhower will be shown as part of the program. In addition, a Presidential Proclamation will be presented by Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald representing the 37th Congressional District. Patriotic music from Forever Paisley (features music from WWII) and Robbie Britt, soloist, will play throughout the program. There will be a wreath laying ceremony, color guards, and a rifle salute. At the end of the ceremony souvenirs and refreshments will be served. Forest Lawn-Long Beach is located at 1500 San Antonio Dr. in Long Beach.

The 42nd annual Memorial Day Program and Centennial Celebration at Cypress will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature keynote speaker Major General Paul E. Mock, commanding General, 63rd Regional Readiness Command at Los Alamitos. General Douglas MacArthur will be portrayed. In addition, a Presidential Proclamation will be given. Patriotic music from the Cypress High School Band will play throughout the event. A wreath laying ceremony, color guards, and a rifle salute will round out the program. At the end of the program, there will be souvenirs and refreshments. Forest Lawn-Cypress is located at 4471 Lincoln Ave. in Cypress.

The 10th annual Memorial Day Program and Centennial Celebration at Covina Hills will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature the Aztec Skydiving Team, and Mayor Meline Juarez will hand out a Presidential Proclamation. A dramatic presentation on the history of Memorial Day along with a portrayal of Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt will be highlighted. Patriotic music by Sounds of Harmony will play throughout the ceremony. Rounding out the program, there will be a wreath laying ceremony, rifle salute, color guards, souvenirs, refreshments, and more. Forest Lawn-Covina Hills is located at 21300 Via Verde Dr. in Covina.

The inaugural Memorial Day Program and Centennial Celebration at Cathedral City will begin at 10 a.m. with a portrayal of General George S. Patton. A Presidential Proclamation will be presented by Mayor Kathleen J. DeRosa. Included in the program will be a dramatic presentation on the history of Memorial Day, patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony, color guards, rifle salute, souvenirs, refreshments, and more. Forest Lawn-Cathedral City is located at 69855 East Ramon Road. in Cathedral City.

For more information on any of these events, call 1-800-204-3131 or go to www.ForestLawn.com.

About Forest Lawn

Forest Lawn is the community resource where families and friends turn to celebrate life -- from weddings and baptisms to funerals and family history. Founded in 1906, Forest Lawn serves Southern California through its six locations -- Glendale, Hollywood Hills, Cypress, Covina Hills, Long Beach, and Cathedral City. Forest Lawn regularly hosts a variety of cultural and civic programs as part of its commitment to providing Southern California residents with educational and cultural events that celebrate meaningful moments in life from around the world.