Community members honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who lost their lives while serving our country.
Many events are taking place across the valley in observance, with people showing appreciation to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
American flags line the streets in cemeteries across the valley.
People, young and old, are coming together in observance of the national holiday.
“I come from a long line of service members I just want to honor their memories and I also want to help all these other families by honoring their family members that have fallen in battles and war,” said Boy Scout Lucas Stiede.
The Palm Springs High School band played a medley of service music at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City as veterans stood to be recognized.
John Lea served in the Korean War and said we should never take our freedom for granted.
“This country has got to keep strong and stay strong because some people think our freedoms are here forever, but they could be taken away just like that,” Lea said.
Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon, a veteran himself, said he’s proud of his 26 years of service.
“If you haven’t been there, you don’t know what it’s like. If you haven’t been shot at, you don’t know what it’s like. I was shot at on the Persian Gulf. So I know what it’s like,” Moon said.
Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Wells said we as a country can do more.
“Our country is full of people that want to sit down, when what we really need is folks that will stand,” Wells said.
Across the street, community members gathered for a similar service at Forest Lawn.
The somber day honoring the lives lost for our country didn’t go unnoticed.
“It’s so important that we don’t forget, and our families don’t want us to forget and we don’t want anyone to. So that’s why we hold this service every year,” said Larry Davis, the vice president of Forest Lawn in Coachella Valley.
Most importantly, veterans said the message from the holiday is simple: Remember those who’ve given so much so we can be free.
