On Monday May 25, 2026 at 9:00 am San Quentin Rehabilitation Center observed Memorial Day. The event took place on the facilities Lower Yard, and it was sponsored by Veterans Group of San Quentin.

SQ Resident Veteran and VGSQ member Patrick Poteat hosted the event. All of the six military flags were displayed, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force.

The host welcomed all the veterans and non-veterans, including the VGSQ sponsored by Tina L. and Correction Officer and Navy Veteran M. Hauwert.

In 1999 Hauwert served in Hawaii aboard the U.S. Ship the Kitty Hawk. She also served in the Iraqi War after 911, extending her service to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The host asked for a moment of silence to honor the service men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty.

“We are here today to honor the men and women who laid down their live in service to our Country,” said Poteat. “Our freedom is not free, because the service men paid with the ultimate sacrifice.”

The event continued with the wreath laying ceremony. Hauwert and resident Rubin Perez who served 17-years in the Marine Corps. They collaborated in escorting the wreath to a table that was located between the United States and California Flags.

SQ military veterans from different military service branches, stepped toward and placed mini flags of their service branch around the circular area of the wreath. After the placing of the mini flags, each veterans stepped back and gave an honorary salute facing the wreath.

Next the host stated that it’s an American custom to fold the American into a triangle when honoring the fallen. Four incarcerated veterans walked toward a U.S. flag lying on a table in front of the wreath. Each veteran grabbed the corner of the flag and began to fold, and placing the folded flag next to the wreath.

SQ resident and Trumpeter Brian Conroy played Home of the Brave to honor the falling service men and women, as the flag was being folded.

Perez said that Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day, because people would decorated the burial areas of the fallen comrades. After World War II, Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1991 it became a Federal holiday.

The ceremony concluded with the host Poteat thanking everyone for showing up, as honor guards took turn standing post next to the wreath.