Memorial Day 2008
Schedule of events for Monday May 26, 2008:
• PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
American Legion Post #686, 475 Old Ventura Ave in Oak View
• OAK VIEW PARADE: 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
The 2008 parade theme: “We Never Forget”
• MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE/PROGRAM: 12 NOON - 2:30 PM
Ojai Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #11464, Libbey Bowl/Park
The United State Air Force Band from Vandenberg Air Force Base will be performing. There will also be Army memorabilia and vehicles, Wall of Remembrance, Patriotic Singers: Richard Lyons & Ellen Johnson, and Veteran Speakers. It is being sponsored by Rabobank, The Ojai Lions Club, Ojai American Legion, The United States Army, Rotary Club of Ojai-West, and the Ojai American Legion Women's Auxiliary.
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Memorial Day Prayer
by Reverend Barbara Pescan
Spirit of Life
whom we have called by many names
in thanksgiving and in anguish—
Bless the poets and those who mourn
Send peace for the soldiers who did not make the wars
but whose lives were consumed by them
Let strong trees grow above graves far from home
Breathe through the arms of their branches
The earth will swallow your tears while the dead sing
“No more, never again, remember me.”
For the wounded ones, and those who received them back,
let there be someone ready when the memories come
when the scars pull and the buried metal moves
and forgiveness for those of us who were not there
for our ignorance.
And in us, veterans in a forest of a thousand fallen promises,
let new leaves of protest grow on our stumps.
Give us courage to answer the cry of humanity’s pain
And with our bare hands, out of full hearts,
with all our intelligence
let us create the peace.





