Welcome to the Military Veterans' Court of Honor
Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District
Gridley California
About Us
The concept of a memorial at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery to honor all veterans was realized on Memorial Day, May 27, 1996, when the McCutcheon Monument was dedicated. Based on the research of a local attorney, it was determined that Warren McCutcheon, for whom the local VFW Post is named, could very well have been the first to fall at Pearl Harbor at the age of 17. A group of local citizens representing the VFW, the American Legion and the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery formed a committee to raise funds for a memorial to honor veterans of foreign wars and overseas action as well as those who have served in peace time. The bricks, bearing the names of veterans placed on the large brick wall and benches on the podium serve as the funding mechanism for this memorial. At the time of the dedication, this memorial was the only place other than Saipan to fly all the flags of the various branches of service. This Military Court of Honor is an on-going project with many plans for future additions. Each Memorial Day Monday at 10:00AM, a community service is held at the Military Veterans' Court of Honor.
"It Is The Soldier"
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army, Copyright Charles M. Province, 1970, 2005, All rights reserved.
"mvch gridley" YouTube Channel
Videos of Memorial Day Services
VIDEOS of ALL the Memorial Day Services are linked under each Featured Speaker. Each new Memorial Day video will be posted after editing (no longer than a couple of weeks after the event). Dvds are still available on request from the Cemetery Office. The "MVCH Gridley" YouTube channel is also located under the "Links" section.
Memorial Day Featured Speakers and Videos
Col. Otto E. Behunin, USAF (Ret.)
1999 Memorial Day Service Featured Speaker
Click below to access the video.
Col. Mitchell Paige, USMC (Ret.) CMH 1942
2000 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video
Lt. Col Jack Chinn, USAF (Ret.)
2001 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video
Col. Ray Merritt, USAF (Ret.)
2002 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Gen. Diann Hale O'Connor, USAF (Ret.)
2003 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Maj. Donald L. Short, USAF (Ret.)
2004 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Carl D. Nelson, Commander, USN
2005 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Lt. Col. William Wescott, USAF (Ret.)
2010 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Maj. Donald L. Short, USAF (Ret.)
2011 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Ronald Scheyer, Senior Chief Petty Officer
2016 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Col. Andew M. Clark, Vice Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB
2017 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Maj. Cliff Wagner, USAR (Ret.)
2018 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
No Memorial Day Services
2020 Memorial Day Service was cancelled due to Govenor Newsom's decree.
Click below to read the decree.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Gauthier, USAR
2021 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click below to access video.
Lt. Col. Chris Logue, USAR (Ret.)
2022 Memorial Day Featured Speaker.
Click below to access video.
Lt. Col. Michael McCarthy, USAR (Ret.)
2023 Memorial Day Featured Speaker.
Click below to access video.
Master Sgt. Lyndon Delago, USAR (Ret.)
2024 Memorial Day Featured Speaker.
Click on the small YouTube Icon (above) to access the video.
Col. Glen Brady, USAF (Ret.)
2025 Memorial Day Featured Speaker
Click on the small YouTube Icon (above) to access the video.
Other Videos
A Musical Tribute To Veterans
Veterans Day 2011
11-11-2011, Friday, 1900 hours Presented by: The Military Veterans' Court of Honor Committee, Gridley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5731, American Legion, Post 210. Oroville Community Concert Band under the Direction of Jim Christensen. Master of Ceremonies: Frank Cook. Veterans' Memorial Hall, Gridley CA
1991 Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District Tour
A Video by Ken Wiley
A short video tour of the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District on Memorial Day weekend in 1991. This is a transfer from a VHS tape that was discovered at the cemetery office. Pat Teague (former District Manager) believes it was done by Ken Wiley who worked for Butte Co. at the time. 13 minutes.
plaques & monuments
veterans bricks
Update: March 13 2025
Make A Donation
All donations for the MVCH should be mailed to:
VFW-MVCH
PO BOX 1363
GRIDLEY CA 95948-1363
Aside from open monetary donations, there are specific donation programs as the Veterans Memorial Brick, the Bench and the Memorial Day DVD fundraiser.
Veterans Memorial Brick: For donations in support of the Military Veterans Court of Honor of $50.00 or more, a deeply embossed fired brick will be placed in the MVCH. Donors may name any person who has served or is serving in any military unit of the United States armed services (not just those veterans from the Gridley-Biggs District area). Each brick has three lines with 15 spaces for name, rank, service, date of service, etc. Spaces between entries count in the 15 spaces.
LTC JOHN DOE
USAF (RET)
1938-1968
JOHN DOE
U.S. MARINES
KOREA
SGT. JOHN DOE
U.S. ARMY
1941-1945
The placing of a Memorial Brick will insure that the service member will be permanently recognized, and that future generations will be reminded of the sacrifices made and service provided to this country to protect the freedom that we enjoy. Please request a Veterans Memorial brick form by phone, mail, in person or email.
BENCH Program: For donations in support of the MVCH of $1,000.00 or more, a bench and brass marker will be placed below the bench with your name, or your group/unit/club/association or in honor of a U.S. service member, etc. For $500.00 or more, you may share a bench with another (two brass markers per bench).
For more information, please contact the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District during business hours at 530-846-2537, Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 (closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch).
DVD Program: Every year, the Memorial Day Service held at the MVCH is recorded to DVD for posterity. DVD copies can be picked-up (2 weeks after Memorial Day, but please call in advance for availability) at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District Office. Suggestions are $5-$10, but more or less, no matter the amount is always appreciated.
Location: Gridley-Biggs Cemetery District, 2023 Highway 99, Gridley CA, (530) 846-2537, Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 (closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch).
All are welcome to attend the Memorial Day Monday Service at 10:00AM at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery at the Military Court of Honor, Gridley, California.
M.V.C.H.
P.O. Box 1363
Gridley CA 95948-1363
For More information
- 2023 State Hwy 99, Gridley, California, United States
- PO Box 1363 Gridley CA 95948
- 530-846-2537
- GridleyBiggsCemetery@yahoo.com
- Monday-Friday, 8:00-12:00 (closed for lunch) 1:00-4:30
Located north of the town of Gridley on the west side of Hwy 99. The nearest cross street is Ord Ranch Road (just north of the intersection).
links
Military Veterans' Court of Honor, Memorial Day Videos
Here you will find all the Memorial Day Services located on the "MVCH Gridley" YouTube Channel. All recorded services will be posted from 1999.
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VFW, Dept. of California
Welcome to the VFW Department of California's website.
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American Legion, Dept. of California
The American Legion Department of California San Francisco Headquarters
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Veteran Suicide Prevention
If you’re a Veteran in a mental health crisis and you’re thinking about hurting yourself—or you know a Veteran who’s considering this—get help right away. You’re not alone.
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Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization.
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Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)
The official U.S. Government website on POW/MIA matters.
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The Museum of the Forgotten Warriors and Library Center
Dedicated to All Veterans: To Remember, Respect and Honor Veterans.
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Beale Air Force Base
Home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing: Integrity, Service, Excellence.
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USA Patriotism!
Showcasing... Love and Pride of America!
Read MoreEvents
Memorial Day Services (annually)
Every Memorial Day Monday at 10:00 AM, (approximately 60-70 minutes in length) Gridley Biggs Cemetery at the Military Veterans Court of Honor
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