Historian Memorializes Fallen Heroes at Palm Springs’ Memorial Day Flower Drop

It was a day of remembrance across the nation and here in the Coachella Valley.

We attended the Palm Springs Air Museum's 26th Annual Memorial Day service where one historian is helping memorialize local fallen heroes.

"Memorial Day for me personally is a time to reflect on people like Ming who didn't come home, on Suresh and all the others, like Hunter," says Purple Heart Recipient, Justin Gardiner.

Gardiner is one of thousands attending Palm Springs Air Museum's Memorial Day service.

Today he's remembering his Cathedral City High School classmates, Suresh Krause and Ming Sun.

Those fallen army men were Lee Wilson Junior's students, and his reason for starting this fallen heroes display.

"I was kind of surprised that nobody else had done this or started to do anything about our local fallen heroes. So I spent a lot of my summer vacation doing research," says Wilson, with the Palm Springs' American Legion.

Wilson's efforts also helped this Gold Star Family learn more about their loved one, Tomas Villa who passed away while serving in World War II.

"We have to respect those who fought and died, I honor that very much," says Gold Star Family Member, Albert R. Villa.

And of course you can't forget about the flowers.

A B-25 Mitchell Bomber was carrying 3,000 red and white carnations honoring fallen comrades, along with white roses in honor of the Gold Star Families, and yellow roses to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the release of the Vietnam Prisoners of War.

"They stand on the wall so that we can have our freedom," says Palm Springs Air Museum Director, Fred Bell.

Military aircraft, works of art, and carnations were all a part of Monday's remembrance service that honored the valor and bravery of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.