RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Cordovans who died in the service of their country will be honored during a special display of American flags on Folsom Boulevard this Memorial Day.

“Flags on Folsom Boulevard” will feature hundreds of American flags posted on the south side of Rancho Cordova’s central roadway between Rod Beaudry Drive and Kilgore Road, paying tribute to those who “gave all,” as organizers continue to honor the sacrifice of veterans while complying with COVID-19 safety requirements which remain in effect.

In a normal Memorial Day setting, the Cordova Community Council would work with community residents, the Veterans Administration and Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band for a moving program staged at the Performing Arts Center at Cordova High School.

As COVID safety guidelines remain in effect this Memorial Day, fallen veterans will be honored as follows:

“Flags on Folsom Boulevard” is a 300-flag tribute on Folsom Boulevard.  The flags will be installed on Friday, May 28, and remain on display through the Memorial Day holiday on May 31; Memorial wreath at Memorial Plaza, located in front of the VA Medical Center, Mather.  Republic Services is providing the tribute; “Our Gratitude” billboard honors will acknowledge the contributions of veterans of all branches of service, who would have been spotlighted with a memorial brick ceremony during a standard Memorial Day salute.  This Memorial Day, the veterans will be remembered on displays on digital billboards along Highway 50, in cooperation with Clear Channel Outdoor and Outfront Media.

Cordova Community Council event specialist Lydia Bredin said the organizing committee for Memorial Day and Veterans Day salutes hope to return to the more personal and moving tributes which have become a signature of Rancho Cordova’s honoring of veterans, both living and deceased.

“This approach was not our first choice,” she said.  “But no matter what, we agree with the citizens of Rancho Cordova that honoring brave veterans, especially those who died in the service of our country, is non-negotiable.  We hope everyone takes a drive down Folsom Boulevard and to the Memorial Plaza in their honor, and we look forward to the day when we can join together as a community again.”

The Memorial Day tributes are sponsored by Atlas Disposal, Michael Baker International, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Heritage Community Credit Union, Assemblyman Ken Cooley, Republic Services, Golden State Water Company, KP International Market, Air 1 Radio, Sunrise Orthodontics, California American Water Company, City of Rancho Cordova, Belka & Hagan Families, Quick Quack Car Wash and SMUD.  Activities are organized by the Cordova Community Council.