Hollister residents have a few ways to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, including the annual Hollister Airshow, a poker run and Memorial Day ceremonies at local cemeteries.
On Sunday, the American Legion Riders Chapter 69 will host a poker run, starting at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and proceeds will benefit American Legion activities that support local veterans or community groups.
On Monday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242, the Leslie L. Garrett Post 6359 and the American Legion Post 69 will hold a ceremony honoring veterans who were lost in battle at local cemeteries. They will start at 9 a.m. with a ceremony in San Juan Bautista, followed by a ceremony at the IOOF Cemetery at 10 a.m. There will be an 11 a.m. ceremony at Calvary Cemetery with a final ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Building at noon, followed by a barbecue.
While the local events are happening in San Benito County, five locals will be approaching their destination in Washington, DC, as part of the annual Run For the Wall motorcycle run.
Robert DeLuna and Brian LePore of Hollister, Manny Chavez of San Juan Bautista, and Mike Rodriguez and Gilbert Huerta of Gilroy all departed on May 13 to make the 10-day journey by motorcycle.
The motorcycle run leaves from Los Angeles, and picks up veterans and other riders along the trek to Washington, DC. The annual run was started in 1989 as an effort to increase awareness of prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.