Woodward Park, 710 East Woodward Road, Manteca, California
Sponsored by the Place of Refuge Church and the Welcome Home Heroes Foundation
Saturday May 26, 2012
12:00 Noon - Welcome Home Heroes Traveling Tribute open for public viewing
Sunday May 27, 2012
6:00 AM - Park gates open
6:30 AM - "Wounded Warrior Christopher Braley 5K Run/Walk" registration begins
(sponsored by 24 Hour Fitness, Manteca)
7:00 AM - "Marine Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Car Show" registration begins
(sponsored by Mid-Valley Chevy Club, Modesto)
8-10:30 AM - Breakfast
(sponsored by NuLaid Eggs, Ripon)
8:00 AM - "Wounded Warrior Christopher Braley 5K Run/Walk" begins
(sponsored by 24 Hour Fitness, Manteca)
Opening Ceremony with VFW Post 1051, Ripon at the 5K starting line
9:30 AM - Vietnam helicopter landing (sponsored Dell' Osso Farms, Lathrop)
10:00 AM - Community Memorial Service with "We Are Family" and Vietnam Veteran Chris Lambert
11:30 AM - Kids Energy Zone (sponsored by South San Joaquin Irrigation District), exhibits, and concessions open
11:15 AM - Main Stage: Richard Windfeathers
12:00 PM - Main Stage: The Electric Shoes
12-1 PM - three helicopter landings
1:00 PM - Main Stage: "Hari Kari" band
1:00-2:00 PM - Manteca Police Department demonstrations
2:15 PM - Main Stage: Cheynne Milligan
2:45 PM - Arrival of the processional of Gold Star families
3:00 PM - Welcome Home Heroes Traveling Tribute 11th Panel Dedication honoring fallen hero Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, United States Air Force Combat Controller
National Anthem performed by Cheyenne Milligan
4:00 PM - Main Stage: Jim Anderson & the Rebels - Tribute to the Early Years of Elvis Presley
4:45 PM - Main Stage: Tri-Valley Community Choir of Stockton
5:30 PM - Main Stage: We Are Family
6:00 PM - Official Ceremony honoring all who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States with "We Are Family" and National Anthem performed by Cheyenne Milligan
8:00 PM - Air Force Rock/Pop Band "Mobility" in concert
9:00 PM - Fireworks (sponsored by Manteca Christian Preschool)
Monday May 28, 2012
Welcome Home Heroes Traveling Tribute open for public viewing until 4:00 PM
Gold Star family members Julia Conover, right, and Diana Layfield find Julia’s son Marine Cpl Brandon C. Dewey’s name on the Welcome Home HeroesTraveling Tribute to those who have died serving in the War on Terror.
Photo by Hime Romero (The Manteca Bulletin)
Our Mission
"Not Forgotten" is an annual event that takes place every Memorial Day Weekend in Manteca, California. The purpose of the event is to honor all who have served our country in the military, to remember our fallen heroes and their families, to raise awareness in our community and remind our citizens that freedom is not free.
At our Memorial Day Weekend event on May 29, 2011 we had the privilege of hosting over 20,000 people at Woodward Park in Manteca. Everyone who attended enjoyed an afternoon of various concessions, helicopter landings, military fly-overs, music, patriotic displays, car show, children's play area, military vehicle display, a ceremony honoring all different nationalities who have served in the U.S. military, country music artist Josh Gracin, and a fireworks show.
The Welcome Home Heroes Foundation was born out of the "Not Forgotten" annual event. A Traveling Tribute was designed and constructed through the organization to honor all our military men and women who have laid down their lives in service to our country since 9/11. The memorial is the center piece of the "Not Forgotten" event and stands as a witness to the great sacrifice that almost 6,000 men and women have made in the War on Terror.
The Welcome Home Heroes Foundation also supports veterans throughout our community. If you know of a veteran is who is need, please contact our organization.
At our next event on May 27, 2012 we are expecting 20,000 + people to attend "Not Forgotten" at Woodward Park.
Contact Us & Donations
Welcome Home Heroes Foundation
c/o The Place of Refuge Church
486 Button Ave.
Manteca, CA 95336
Phone: (209) 239-1371
Fax: (209) 239-5072
Email: MDillman@PlaceofRefuge.com
Church Website: www.PlaceofRefuge.com
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Welcome Home Heroes Foundation in the form of cash, check, or credit card. We do not operate for profit. All of our expense are public record and an expense report is available upon request.
