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Memorial Day 2024

Jessica Smithers

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

We always appreciate volunteers to aid in planning, set up, and clean up. Please contact jess@daviscemetery.org if you would like to help.

This year’s Memorial Day Program is brought to you by the Davis Cemetery District and the Davis Odd Fellows. The Golden State Brass will perform a musical prelude at 9:30 am with the formal program beginning at 10:00 am. This year’s program will include opening remarks by Supervisor Jim Provenza, performances by the Davis Youth Chorale and the Davis High Madrigals.

2024 Event Details: 

Monday, May 27th

9:30 am Musical prelude by the Golden State Brass

10:00 am Formal program begins

Keynote Speaker

Todd Henry, Deputy Police Chief

Davis Police Department

Deputy Chief Henry has over 27 years of public safety experience. He was with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years, where he held various assignments and left as a Captain in 2022. Most recently, Deputy Chief Henry was the Chief of Field Investigations for the Security and Law Enforcement Division with the California Lottery. Deputy Chief Henry started with the Davis Police Department in March of 2023.

Deputy Chief Henry has held operational and management positions within patrol, K9, SWAT, investigations, Air Operations, and several regional task forces. He is also a credentialed Type 3 incident commander and was a Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team member for five years. He has responded to several large natural disasters throughout the state and has extensive experience in emergency management. Deputy Chief Henry is also the Chair of the California Peace Officers Association, Region IV Board, and a member of the Placer County Mental Health Board.

Todd has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Memorial Day 2023

Jessica Smithers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

2023 Event Details: 

Monday, May 29th

9:30 Musical prelude by the Golden State Brass

10:00 Formal program begins

Keynote Speaker: Sgt. Kurt Roggli

Kurt Roggli was born in Georgia in 1947. He grew up as an Air Force brat, living in Alaska, Newfoundland, Massachusetts, Tennessee and California. Kurt was a soldier in the US Army from 1967 to 1970 where he was stationed in Korea. He attended graduate school at UC Davis where he received his degree in Philosophy. Kurt retired as adjunct professor of Philosophy. He is married with one child and three grandchildren. Kurt enjoys playing music and is the immediate past Noble Grand of the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge.

We always appreciate volunteers to aid in planning, set up, and clean up. Please contact jess@daviscemetery.org if you would like to help.

 

COVID-19 MEMORIAL INSTALLATION

Jessica Smithers

The Davis Cemetery District is planning a permanent COVID-19 memorial installation at 820 Pole Line Road. This memorial will feature a walking path, art installations, seating/reflection space, informational signage, and privacy landscaping. Visitors will walk along a path where they will pass under five pillars, each pillar artistically designed to represent those lost to the Coronavirus. The path will end at a reflections area where visitors can sit and take in the meaning of the memorial. As visitors leave the memorial, signage will be placed along the path describing the strength and resiliency our community has gained through the pandemic and will focus on looking forward, while remembering the past.

REMEMBRANCE

HONOR & ACKNOWLEDGE

RESILIENCY & STRENGTH

This memorial will provide a space for community members to remember those we lost and how the pandemic has impacted them personally.

A space to honor our first responders, essential workers, small businesses, caregivers, families, and friends while acknowledging those who have been disproportionately impacted. 

Recognizing our community’s ability to withstand adversity and recover from the pandemic. 

Marketing and Sponsorship

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

$2,500+

 MEMORIAL PARTNER

$1,000 – $2,499

INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR

$50 – $999
  • Speaking invitation during dedication.
  • Logo/name on website and marketing materials.
  • Recognition throughout social media campaign.
  • Sponsorship plaque at entrance of memorial.
  • Logo/name on website and marketing materials.
  • Recognition throughout social media campaign.
  • Sponsorship plaque within memorial.
  • Logo/name on website and marketing materials.
  • Sponsorship recognition within memorial.

 

MEMORIAL ONE-PAGER AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Community Feedback:

Feedback is extremely important to the district as we move forward in our planning and design process. Please take a moment to complete our short feedback survey which can be found here or by using the QR code below.

 

 

 

 

Gallery 1855 Seeking Artists

Jessica Smithers

Gallery 1855 is a local gallery featuring a local artist each month. Located on the historic grounds of the Davis Cemetery District the gallery was named Gallery 1855, in honor of the first recorded interment.

The gallery is open weekdays between 8:00am and 3:00pm.

We are currently seeking artists to fill our 2023 calendar. As a Special District, we prioritize artists from our District which includes Davis, Clarksburg, and West Sacramento. All artists are welcome to propose an exhibit by emailing Judy Fisher at judy@daviscemetery.org. Please include samples of your work with your inquiry. 

Community Event Hosting

Jessica Smithers

The Davis Cemetery District is pleased to host a variety of public events on District Grounds. Requests for the use of the grounds should be directed to the District Superintendent for review and approval. The District Superintendent will serve as the lead partner and will provide basic marketing and set-up support. The coordinating group and/or individual will be responsible for the day-to-day planning of the event. Requests for monetary support should be presented to the District Superintendent, by the coordinating group, for approval.

Current annual event coordinator contacts:

Memorial Day: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Davis Odd Fellows

Dia de los Muertos: None

Veterans Day:  Veterans of Foreign Wars, Davis Odd Fellows

Remembrance Day: Anna Sutton

Become a Volunteer

Jessica Smithers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you interested in giving back to our community?

Are you interested in serving as a community outreach event partner, helping to plan annual outreach events? 

Do you enjoy gardening and working outdoors?

Are you looking to obtain volunteer hours?

Do you want to learn more about the historic Davis Cemetery District?

If you answered yes to any other of these questions, the Davis Cemetery is the right place for you! Whether you’re an avid gardener looking for a place to display your work, a high school student looking for an extracurricular activity, or a community member looking to obtain community service hours, the Davis Cemetery welcomes you to volunteer year-round.

For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please complete the form below or email jess@daviscemetery.org.

Davis Cemetery Veteran’s Day Ceremony @ 11am

Jessica Smithers

The Davis Cemetery District, in collaboration with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VRW) Post 6949 in Davis, is hosting its annual Veterans Day Remembrance on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 820 Pole Line Road.  Please join this remembrance of those men and women who have served in the military, defending and protecting the United States.

The Davis Brass Ensemble begins playing at 10:30 am.  The formal part of the program starts at 10:50 am with an explanation of the Bells of Peace, followed by the posting of the colors by the UC Davis ROTC, and vocal performances from Carol Kessler and the Davis High School Madrigal Choir.

Speakers include VFW Post 6949 Commander Jay Brookman, Davis City Council Member Dan Carson, and Superior Court Judge David Rosenberg. The program also includes a poetry reading by Andy Jones and opening and closing prayers by Rod Layman, chaplain of VFW Post 4969.

History Tours

Jessica Smithers
Enjoy a stroll through history one of our Davis Cemetery District History Tours.

The historic cemetery district is offering guided history tours on our beautiful grounds. We will share the stories of the pioneer families and individuals who have shaped our city into what it is today.   We will also discuss the meaning of and changes to gravestone symbols from Victorian times to the present.

Tours will take about a 1 hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Guided cart tours are available but will be limited to three individuals.
Contact Jess Smithers at jess@daviscemetery.org or call 530-756-7807 to schedule an appointment.

About the Davis Cemetery District

Jessica Smithers
The Davis Cemetery District is a non-enterprise independent Special District governed by an appointed Board of Trustees who serve four-year terms. As a public agency, the District is not in the business to make a profit as a private company. The Board of Trustees meets at a noticed public meeting on the third Wednesday of every other month at 4:00 pm. The trustees have adopted comprehensive rules and regulations by which to operate the cemetery.  All board meetings are open to the public. The District is closely aligned with the community of Davis and surrounding areas and makes its grounds available to community service groups. The District strives to strengthen the Cemetery as a more inviting and meaningful location for civic remembrance, contemplation, and healing by creating an attractive environment that encourages people to come and enjoy nature, art, and civic history.

 

Ten things to do during your visit

Jessica Smithers

Ten Things To Do During Your Visit…

  1. Inventory, photograph, paint or view our wildlife.
  2. Bring a sketchbook or a notebook and spend some quiet time on one of our benches. Let the beauty and the history inspire your creativity.
  3. Hike or jog the perimeter of the cemetery, enjoying the view from many perspectives. Climb our hill for a fresh look.
  4. Check out our historic swale, our perennial mounds, and our wildflower meadow (all located in the eastern half of the grounds).
  5. Check out our scent garden and our bulb and wildflower garden (both on the historic side of the cemetery). Enjoy our changing foliage. (Where else can you find a Nepal Camphor, native to the Himalayas, in Davis?)
  6. Soothe your soul listening to our Veteran Memorial Fountain.
  7. Take a meditative walk on our labyrinth.
  8. Participate in our 10 stop scavenger hunt, designed to educate children regarding our history.
  9. Explore the lovely statues and historic stones. (Can you find the one that came all the way from China? Hint: it has wonderful dragons.)
  10. Discover Davis history through our self-guided history tour. A copy of our map can be found here.   (Can you find the headstone of the woman born in 1796?)

DID YOU KNOW?
We have six markers over 12 feet tall, four that range from 8-12 feet, and some thirteen between 6-8 feet high; they include eight obelisk markers and four full figure statues. 28% of all city council members are buried here, as are 24% of all persons for whom UC Davis buildings are named.