Forest Lawn honors veterans with 11th annual Memorial Day service

Fallen soldiers and veterans honored at Forest Lawn in Cathedral City.

Forest Lawn officials say of the 5,000 people who are buried at the cemetery, several hundred were veterans. That’s why each year, they create a memorial service to honor those who have fallen.

The memorial service brought in a full house. Many were in attendance to pay tribute, some to share their stories.

“It’s a day that we can pledge ourselves to be the kinds of citizens that they would have wanted us to be and not only just remember them, but promise ourselves to live up to their legacy,” said Retired Colonel Robert Gericke, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

And all in this room filled with pride.

“I hope that people, as they are out having fun today too, BBQ’s and going to the air museum and other things that they will take the time to remember a veteran and be thankful for what they were given,” said Larry Davis, VP of CV Forest Lawns.

More than one million U.S. service men and women have died while serving our country.