Council Member Christina Gordon and Desert Winds Freedom Band to Highlight Memorial Day Ceremony in Cathedral City

Cathedral City Council Member Christina Gordon and the Desert Winds Freedom Band will highlight the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The ceremony will be held at Desert Memorial Park, 31-705 Da Vall Drive in Cathedral City. The event is sponsored by American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 and the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans For Peace and will honor all of our nation's fallen service members and veterans. The event is free and open to the public.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of America's first LGBTQ+ Veterans Memorial, located at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City. The memorial was dedicated by AMVETS Post 66 on Sunday, May 27, 2001. The effort was led by AMVETS Post 66 Founder and Commander Tom Swann Hernandez of Rancho Mirage, California.

The memorial was dedicated nine years before the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), at a time when LGBTQ+ Americans could not openly serve in the military. Its dedication faced significant opposition, making it a landmark act of courage in its own right. The memorial is also the third landmark in the United States to honor the transgender community.

Six American Presidents, four California Governors, and three U.S. Senators have sent special letters about this memorial. The dedication ceremonies have twice been published in the Congressional Record. The national news media has featured the memorial in newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, Sacramento Bee, and Desert Sun.

In 2018, former State Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia introduced legislation to make this memorial a state memorial. The state legislature, by unanimous vote, changed the name of this historic landmark to the California LGBTQ Veterans Memorial. Governor Jerry Brown signed the legislation. California is the first and only state with a memorial honoring the brave sacrifices of our fallen LGBTQ+ service members.

The memorial has become a gathering place for prayer and reflection. Tourists from across the country visit the memorial every week of the year. Since its dedication, the City of Chicago has also erected an LGBTQ+ Veterans Memorial.

Key supporters of the memorial in 2001 included former Cathedral City Mayors George Stettler and Kathy DeRosa, the late Cathedral City Council Member Greg Pettis, who played a pivotal role, and former City Attorney Steve Quintanilla, who donated funds for the dedication ceremony. Cathedral City has continued to promote the memorial through its websites.

Other speakers at the ceremony include Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem David Ready and Rancho Mirage Mayor Pro Tem Michael O'Keefe. U.S. Senator Adam Schiff will send a special letter. Documents are expected from Rep. Raul Ruiz, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, Governor Gavin Newsom, and County Supervisor Manuel Perez.

The Desert Winds Freedom Band will perform. Lee Wilson will introduce Gold Star family members, each of whom will receive a rose.

For more information about the Memorial Day Ceremony, contact Tom Swann Hernandez at (760) 324-5670 or [email protected] .