Family and friends gather at Bakersfield National Cemetery
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — At this start of this Memorial Day weekend, family, friends, and vets came together at the Bakersfield National Cemetery to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives so we can live free.
Valor, Purity, Justice. That’s what red, white, and blue mean on the American Flag. A symbol of freedom at the highest cost.
“A day where we honor the valor, sacrifice, and commitment of our fallen heroes that gave so much so we can enjoy these freedoms,” said Jose Lopez, with Kern County Veteran’s Services.
On this 14th Memorial Day Ceremony at the Bakersfield National Cemetery family, friends, and vets gather to remember the bravest who fought and died for all of us.
Jose Lopez with the Kern Veterans Services Department delivered a speech honoring our fallen soldiers including his aunt and uncle. They’re buried here too.
“Let’s carry forward the legacy of our fallen heroes with unwavering gratitude, profound respect, and an enduring commitment to honor their memory not just now, but always,” said Lopez. “May their selfless sacrifice never be in vain.”
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The ceremony included a wreath laying, flag presentations for the families of fallen soldiers, and this: A salute from a Super Huey helicopter that flew in Vietnam.
The soldiers said the sound of the helicopter blades chopping through the sky was the sound of freedom because rescue was on the horizon.
“We remember every single hero who shed their blood defending our freedom,” said Assemblymember Vince Fong. “May their sacrifices be a reminder that our freedom isn’t free and that there is a cost of liberty.”
Key note speakers delivered speeches while family and friends shed tears.
“This is sacred ground and it’s important to remember as we lay American flags on each single, grave site we say their name,” said Fong.
The Bakersfield National Cemetery started honoring the men and women who fell in the field of combat since 2003. Some people lay flags, some share hugs, some salute the families of the fallen, but everyone joined in solidarity at the Memorial Ceremony will always choose to remember them.
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