Cemeteries open again, but Memorial Day ceremonies muted because of coronavirus pandemic
Even with loosened restrictions on Fresno County cemeteries, local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts have all but canceled Memorial Day ceremonies this year in fear of spreading the coronavirus.
Last week, Fresno County Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra loosened restrictions on cemeteries. The public may now visit cemeteries, and graveside burial ceremonies are permitted, but strict social distancing and mask protocols must be followed.
“We hope that this actually provides a way for people to pay their respects and at the same time stay safe,” Vohra said.
Local veterans groups that typically perform the Memorial Day ceremonies don’t believe it’s possible to pull off the services while following the guidelines.
Last year, more than 400 people attended the service at the Clovis Cemetery. This year, veterans groups will be there to hand out flags to visitors, but no formal ceremony is planned.
The American Legion had a flyover ready to go, but it’s impossible to move forward with the ceremony while maintaining social distancing, said Frank Ducar, the commander of American Legion Cecil Cox Post 147 in Clovis. (Note: The original version of this story misspelled Frank Ducar’s name.)
“Given the current restrictions, we can’t risk exposing that many people,” Ducar said. “We will have representatives out there masked up, gloved up and handing out flags.”
The VFW Post 3225 is seeking permission to put flags along the fences of the Academy and Red Bank cemeteries east of Clovis.
The VFW Post 5057 of Fresno will have a light ceremony at Fresno Memorial Garden, but it won’t be a public event. Taps will be played at the cemetery and the flag will be lowered. A small service will be held for members at the VFW post, said Commander Richard Morrison.
Morrison noted that out of his 225 members, more than 100 are 80 years old or older.
Health officials consider people 65 and older at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
For those who do plan to visit local cemeteries this holiday weekend, you must wear a mask and maintain social distancing by staying six feet away from others. For more information, check out the latest guidelines for funeral homes and cemeteries on Fresno County’s website.
Veterans cemeteries
The region’s two Veterans Administration-run cemeteries, San Joaquin Valley National in Santa Nella and Bakersfield National in Arvin, will be open regular hours Memorial Day weekend but all ceremonies associated with the holiday are canceled because of the pandemic, the cemeteries announced.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 3:48 PM.