The ceremonies to honor American war dead will begin at 10 a.m. at the Tracy Cemetery, 600 E. Schulte Road, said Vaughn Gates, commander of Tracy Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, which is in charge of this year’s observance.
Elliott is a Tracy resident who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1971 and served 30 years of active duty in the Army before retiring as a colonel in 2001.
The Special Forces officer served in a variety of Army units and assignments, including duty as assistant Army attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, and as Defense and Army attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. His last assignment before retirement was as chief of the Force Development Division of the U.S. Special Operations Command.
He is employed by General Electric Homeland Security Division and is president of the Tracy Sister City Committee.
During the May 25 program, representatives of the VFW, American Legion their auxiliaries and community organizations will place wreaths on a symbolic Tomb of the Unknown.
Music will be provided by the Tracy Community Band.
Following the program at the cemetery, a brief wreath-laying ceremony will be conducted at the Tracy War Memorial in Tracy Civic Center.
While most of us will be looking forward to a three day weekend of camping, fishing or a BBQ, please take a moment to remember those who made this possible.