Valley Memorial Park

A group of volunteers places flags purchased by Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary at the grave sites of local veterans.Every year, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth groups, ROTC, Young Marines, Boys and Girls Clubs, families, individuals, etc., participate in placing American Flags at every Veteran’s grave, said Sharon Ventrice, vice president of the Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Memorial Inc.“When the all the families, especially the children, are out placing the flags, it’s wonderful to see them learn to understand how important this is to veterans’ families,” she said, “and when you look up the hill, there’s a just a sea of red, white and blue flags — it’s gorgeous and very moving.”The event started with boy and girl scout groups, but has blossomed into an event that welcomes community groups and individuals from throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, she said.“There’s about 7,000 flags that need to be place,” Ventrice said, “so this year, we’ve decided that we need to reach out to the community and make sure everyone has a chance.”The event is an educational experience, especially for the younger participants, she added.“It helps kids learn their sense of patriotism and understand what it’s all about,” she said of Memorial Day.Given that 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, this year’s theme is “The Great War.”The flag-placing will take place Saturday, May 26 at 9 a.m. The annual tradition begins near Eternal Valley’s entrance.Eternal Valley Memorial Park is located at 23287 North Sierra Highway in Newhall.For further information, please contact:Sharon Ventrice, Vice PresidentSanta Clarita Veterans Memorial, Inc.661-755-8629 – sventrice@sbcglobal.net... (Santa Clarita Valley Signal)

The special tribute is expected to feature a flyover by pilots during the tribute, however, it was not certain on Thursday if it is expected to involve the Thunderbirds.A procession carrying an urn containing Bagno’s cremated remains is expected to leave Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary on Sierra Highway on Apr. 15, at 4 p.m. and arrive at Saugus High School for a tribute scheduled for 4:44 p.m.The memorial itself is expected to take place in the school’s quad area, featuring a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps and a low flyover, according to Dave Caldwell, spokesman for the William S. Hart Union High School District.More than 500 people are expected to attend the memorial, he said.Bagno, who lived in Valencia, is a graduate of Saugus High School.On the day of the fatal crash, he was training with the Thunderbirds – officially called the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed during a routine aerial demonstration training flight.It was Del  Bagno’s first season with the team.The Thunderbirds squadron is an Air Combat Command made up of eight pilots – including six demonstration pilots – four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted personnel performing in almost 30 job specialtiesBefore joining the Airforce, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and a banner tow pilot. He enjoys snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends.Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.He has logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot.jholt@signalscv.com661-287-5527On Twitter @jamesarthurholt... (Santa Clarita Valley Signal)