Cathedral City Honors Fallen Troops

Thousands of American flags are on display in Cathedral City this week. Each honoring our troops who lost their lives in combat.

Every year the list gets longer. Now more than 6,000 men and women have lost their lives serving in the U.S. military since 2001.

But their sacrifice is not forgotten.

The city places flags at Patriot Park, each flag represents a live lost serving our county. Like Jackie Kennedy’s son. Her son was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 by a sniper.

“It’s so wonderful to know that they’re not forgotten that they continue to remember and love our service people,” said Kennedy.

The Banning mother has made the trip to Cathedral City every year since then.

This year the veteran’s group Iron Horse Marines honored her son with a special wreath in addition to the flag representing his sacrifice.

“He loved America and loved the United States and I know he’d be so proud,” said Kennedy.

Not just flags for American troops, but the field also flies the flags of allied countries.

New this year, a message wall, where people can leave notes to the men and women serving at the Twentynine Palms Marine base.

This year the city also asked for the help of Cathedral City High School students, who helped prepare and pass out the flags.

And many look to the younger generation as new greatest generation.

“These kids are joining the service on their own knowing it’s a time of war because they feel that that’s what America deserves and we need to honor them.”

It’s the 5th year for the healing fields.

The city’s Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other groups organized and participated in event.

These flags will be up all week. The city will also play taps here at dusk every night of the memorial.