News Release

City of Irvine
Public Information Office

1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
949-724-6029

04/24/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Public Information Office
949-724-6077
pio@cityofirvine.org

City of Irvine to Honor Nation’s Fallen Service Members with 2023 Memorial Day Events

The City of Irvine is hosting two Memorial Day events to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen American service members: the Northwood Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, May 28, and the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park on Monday, May 29. To commemorate and pay tribute to those who have given their lives while defending the nation, the community is invited to these events in honor and recognition of all fallen service members. 

Northwood Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony
On Sunday, May 28, at 4 p.m., a special candle-lighting ceremony will be held at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial at Northwood Community Park. In honor of fallen service members, the City is pleased to feature guest speaker Colonel Willard A. Buhl USMC (Ret.). His combat experience includes Operations Desert Shield and Storm; the liberation of Kuwait; UN Operations in Mogadishu, Somalia; and two tours of duty as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. The ceremony is held in partnership with the Northwood Memorial Committee. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Northwood Community Park is at 4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine.

Memorial Day Ceremony
On Monday, May 29, at 10 a.m., the City of Irvine will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony in the Formal Garden at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. A Commanding Officer from Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion will speak to recognize fallen service members and their sacrifice. Guests will have the opportunity to honor family and friends who died in service to the nation by posting a brief remembrance on a memory board at the event. For those wishing to express gratitude to members of Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion, cards will be available to send a message of appreciation and support. Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park is at 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine. For better access to the event, please enter the parking lot located on Harvard Avenue at San Juan.

For more information about Memorial Day events in the City of Irvine, please call 949-724-6606.