ONES AT THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY NATIONAL CEMETERY IN DIXON. THOUSANDS OF HEADSTONES, EACH WITH A NAME AND A FAMILY. FAMILIES COMING FROM ALL OVER TO HERE AT THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY NATIONAL CEMETERY IN DIXON TO HONOR THEIR SERVICE MEMBERS. THIS MEMORIAL DAY, OVER 30,000 INDIVIDUAL FLAGS FLYING IN THE FIERCE WIND AT THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY NATIONAL CEMETERY, A HOLIDAY THAT’S PERSONAL FOR THE DRAKE FAMILY. JUST WANTED TO HONOR HIM. YOU KNOW, HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY AND JUST, AGAIN, WAS A GREAT DAD, GREAT GRANDFATHER. REMEMBERING VERNON LEWIS CLARK, A LIEUTENANT COLONEL WITH THE ARMY WHO SERVED TWO TOURS IN VIETNAM. ALTHOUGH IT’S WINDY, IS VERY QUIET. WE GET THAT SORT OF PEACE TO REALLY JUST WHETHER IT’S TALKING TO THEM OR JUST BEING AROUND THEM AND PAYING YOUR RESPECTS, REMEMBRANCE OF ALL THAT THEY’VE DONE FOR NOT JUST OUR FAMILIES, BUT EVERYONE ELSE’S FAMILIES. WE’RE HERE TO REFLECT ON MY DAD AND PRAY FOR HIM AND BE WITH HIM. MINDY BUSH’S FATHER SERVED IN VIETNAM, TOO, FOR MINDY AND HER DAUGHTER AVA, THIS IS A DAY TO REMEMBER GRANDPA LOVED WHAT ARE LIKE THE SNAILS? LIKE THE BREAKFAST SNAILS HE WOULD CALL EVERY MORNING FOR SOME FOLGERS COFFEE AND A BREAKFAST SNAIL PLAYING SOME BOCCE. FOR A LOT OF THESE FAMILIES, IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THE GAMES PLAYED AT THE DINNER TABLE AND THOSE FUNNY INSIDE JOKES. OR FOR THE BRODY FAMILY PASSING THE LEGACY ONWARD TO THE NEXT GENERATION. WE’RE ALWAYS TRYING TO EDUCATE THEM. AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, OUR MILITARY, WHAT THEY DO AND HOW WE HONOR THEM, REGARDLESS IF THEY’RE ALIVE, SERVING OR NOT. SO THIS IS HISTORY. YOU KNOW, MY FATHER IN LAW SERVED BOTH IN THE ARMY AND THE AIR FORCE. I LEARNED THAT, IT’S GOOD TO HONOR THE PEOPLE WHO SERVED FOR OUR COUNTRY. THIS IS A GREAT GUY. I MISS HIM A LOT. IT’S VERY EMOTIONAL, BUT IT MEANS A LOT. THE WIND NOT DETERRING LOVED ONES, THEM SITTING HERE FOR HOURS IN A CAMPFIRE FASHION IN ORDE
Families gather at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery to honor veterans on Memorial Day
Updated: 5:26 PM PDT May 25, 2026
Families gathered at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon this Memorial Day to honor servicemembers, reflect on their sacrifices, and share cherished memories. Over 30,000 individual flags flew in the fierce wind at the cemetery, marking the headstones of those who served. For the Drake family, the day was deeply personal as they remembered Vernon Louis Clark, a lieutenant colonel in the Army who served two tours in Vietnam. “Just wanted to honor him, he served his country and was a great dad, a great grandfather,” the Drake family said. “Although it’s very windy, it’s quiet, there’s a peace talking to them, or just being around them. Paying respects and remembrance for all that they’ve done, not just our family, but for all the families,” they added. Mindy Boccio and her daughter, Ava, also visited the cemetery to honor Mindy’s father, who served in Vietnam. “We’re here to reflect on my Dad, pray with him and be with him,” Boccio said. Ava, shared fond memories of her grandfather, saying, “He loved the breakfast snails, and he would call every morning for some Folgers coffee and a breakfast snail. Playing some Bocce.” For many families, it’s the little things. The games played at the dinner table and the funny inside jokes that make the memories special. Antonette Ramirez Rhode, emphasized the importance of passing on the legacy of service to the next generation. “We’re always trying to educate them regardless of whether they are alive, serving or not,” Rhode said. “This is history. My father-in-law served in the Army and the Air Force.”“I learned that it’s good to honor those who served for our country,” said her son.“Great guy, we miss him a lot. It’s very emotional, but it means a lot,” Ava Boccio added.Despite the strong winds, families stayed for hours, some gathering in a campfire fashion to reflect and pay their respects on this Memorial Day.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
DIXON, Calif. —
Families gathered at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon this Memorial Day to honor servicemembers, reflect on their sacrifices, and share cherished memories.
Over 30,000 individual flags flew in the fierce wind at the cemetery, marking the headstones of those who served. For the Drake family, the day was deeply personal as they remembered Vernon Louis Clark, a lieutenant colonel in the Army who served two tours in Vietnam.
“Just wanted to honor him, he served his country and was a great dad, a great grandfather,” the Drake family said.
“Although it’s very windy, it’s quiet, there’s a peace talking to them, or just being around them. Paying respects and remembrance for all that they’ve done, not just our family, but for all the families,” they added.
Mindy Boccio and her daughter, Ava, also visited the cemetery to honor Mindy’s father, who served in Vietnam.
“We’re here to reflect on my Dad, pray with him and be with him,” Boccio said.
Ava, shared fond memories of her grandfather, saying, “He loved the breakfast snails, and he would call every morning for some Folgers coffee and a breakfast snail. Playing some Bocce.”
For many families, it’s the little things. The games played at the dinner table and the funny inside jokes that make the memories special.
Antonette Ramirez Rhode, emphasized the importance of passing on the legacy of service to the next generation.
“We’re always trying to educate them regardless of whether they are alive, serving or not,” Rhode said. “This is history. My father-in-law served in the Army and the Air Force.”
“I learned that it’s good to honor those who served for our country,” said her son.
“Great guy, we miss him a lot. It’s very emotional, but it means a lot,” Ava Boccio added.
Despite the strong winds, families stayed for hours, some gathering in a campfire fashion to reflect and pay their respects on this Memorial Day.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel