Fontana Marine: Memorial Day Keynote Speaker at Riverside National Cemetery

A Fontana Marine who was severely wounded in combat is the keynote speaker for a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday May 28 at Riverside National Cemetery.

"Former U.S. Marine Octavio Sanchez will speak on his combat experience," a cemetery spokesman said in an announcement. "During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Fontana resident was wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device. He was burned over 60 percent of his body and lost his right hand as a result."

The ceremony, "A Salute to Fallen Heroes," is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday at 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside.

Alexis Helm of Upland is also scheduled to talk about how seeing the 9/11 attacks at age 7 set her on a path to the U.S. Naval Academy and a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, cemetery officials said

The Riverside Concert Band will provide musical accompaniment beginning at 10:30 a.m. The program will include a flyover by a C-17 Globemaster III from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March ARB. Color Guard will be presented by the California National Guard, and Rifle Detail will be presented by the U.S. Air Force.

Sponsors of the event are Riverside National Cemetery and the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee.