The Grants Pass Active Club takes great pride in honoring veterans over Memorial Day weekend's Boatnik. While the entire weekend is an opportunity to raise money for kids in the community, we appreciate the meaning of Memorial Day weekend.

With several current U.S. Armed Forces members and veterans, the ceremony means a great deal to us. It is the largest Memorial Service in Southern Oregon. The moving ceremony includes a jet flyover from the Air Force, a wreath laying on the river (by a veteran), military personnel in vehicles on the bridge, a 21-gun salute and a bagpipe playing of Taps while the flag is hung from the bridge. 

There is constant excitement and happenings during Boatnik in Riverside Park throughout the weekend, but for the few minutes of the ceremony...the park goes quiet as we honor Memorial Day and all that it stands for.