Auburn holds Memorial Day ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery

City of Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus led a Memorial Day ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery on Memorial Day 2025, asking residents to remember and honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who died in service.

“Memorial Day holds a sacred place in our city's heart,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, urging attendees to carry “the weight of their sacrifice with reverence.” The ceremony included a procession of flags, the posting and retirement of colors by local Boy Scout troops, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, placement of memorial emblems by Veterans of Foreign Wars members, a bell salute by the Valley Regional Fire Authority honor guard, Taps and a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

The event drew civic leaders and community volunteers. Backus introduced members of the Auburn City Council who attended, including Deputy Mayor Cheryl Raikes and council members Yolanda Trout Manuel, Kate Baldwin, Tracy Taylor, Hannah Emmer and Lisa Sturgess. Organizers acknowledged VFW Post 1741 and its officers, Boy Scout Troops 398 and 401, vocalist Billy Holdsworth and bugler Lucas Batiste of Troop 401.

Speakers from VFW Post 1741 conducted traditional memorial rites during the ceremony. Officers placed emblems and delivered ritual remarks honoring fallen comrades; the post’s junior vice commander, speaking during emblem placement, said, “I place the symbol of purity on this comrade's grave.” The program also included a moment of silence followed by Taps performed by Lucas Batiste.

Organizers and speakers repeatedly emphasized remembrance of both service members and their families. Backus asked attendees to “put action to those words, never forgotten,” and called for continued gratitude and recognition beyond a single day.

The ceremony concluded with a final benediction and the announcement that the observance had ended. Attendees were then dismissed.