May 29 is Memorial Day when Americans pay tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving their country. Despite its somber roots, Memorial Day today is a celebration of freedom; full of events, parades, music, and tributes. Here are eight ways to observe this special day.

Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade
Join the Mill Valley's biggest community event of the year. Enjoy a pancake breakfast from the Volunteer Firefighters before the parade, followed by the Lytton Square Memorial Ceremony, 9:45am, The Depot. There will be speakers, flag raising, singing and more. Kiddo! Carnival and Concerts on the Green. NOTE: Due to the Miller Ave Project, the parade route has been altered this year. Please check website for details.

Memorial Day Services
The Marin County Memorial Day observance, conducted by Marin County United Veterans Council, will feature music, remembrance program, flag displays and wreath-laying ceremonies, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael.

Memorial Day Celebration
Join veterans, families, and the community to commemorate the end of World War II and the end of the Vietnam War. Grand March featuring the 191st Army Band - 10:30 am, 21-Gun Salute with the U.S. Army’s 75th Pacific Division - Noon, Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue.

Memorial Day Remembrance
Public ceremony at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California. Local Boy and Girl Scouts place 3,600 American flags at the headstones of veterans of all wars in six burial plots: the Veteran’s Plot, Field of Honor Plot, Spanish American War Plot, two Civil War Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Plots and Women’s Relief Corps GAR Auxiliary Plot. The UVC Memorial Day Ceremony is held at the Veteran’s Plot at 11 am and includes the posting of military and veteran organization colors, placing of wreaths, a rifle salute and playing of Taps.

Alameda Veterans Memorial Park
Come on out for this patriotic holiday and celebrate with our county’s heroes. Veterans Circle in Alameda.

USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier 
The Hornet band will start at 10, ceremony at 11 with the wreath toss afterwards.  People can stay and enjoy the ship all day and visit the new exhibits that just opened.  

Memorial Day Civil War Plot Tour
Complimentary refreshments will follow the ceremony. Docent Dennis Evanosky will tours at the Pardee Home and Oakland’s Preservation Park, gives a general tour with special emphasis on The Civil War and the role California played in the conflict, Oakland.

Memorial Day 2017
Every Memorial Day, ultimate players from all corners of the Bay Area descend on San Rafael's McInnis Park to continue a now 18-year-old Marin tradition. Memorial Day has developed a sterling reputation throughout the years of offering ultimate players a unique, spirited tournament experience while supporting worthy causes – making it one of the most popular mixed tournaments in the Bay Area.

Marin Memorial Day Races
Competitive 10K; 5K run/walk benefiting pancreatic cancer research; and Youth Track Races for kids 12 and under.  Flat, fast, certified courses, with a dramatic stadium finish. The 10K is the PA/USATF 10K Road Championship with a $3000 purse.  5K and 10K awards are 3 deep in all age groups (5 year divisions).