Local Memorial Day ceremony held by VFW Post 1763

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Every year on May 30th, the nation comes together to honor the courageous service members who have died while in uniform.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1763 held a Memorial Day ceremony at Gateway Park and Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

May 30th is a special day for families and friends to gather and share stories and honor their loved ones who fought for our country’s freedom.

Local judge and veteran, Juan Guerrero shares how he remembers his loved ones as he served 10 years as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman.

“You know for us veterans, every day is memorial day. I come to mind, you know, the ones that I’ve lost and people say ‘Happy Memorial Day' and it’s nothing happy," said Guerrero.

Judge Guerrero is a War Veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm having served in Saudi Arabia and serving tours of duty with the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California.

The ceremony at Gateway Park featured speeches from veterans like Sr. Vice Commander Walt Blakesly.

“The reason we are gathered here today is to remember those who made our way of life possible. They are truly the guardians of freedom," said Blakesly.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, Hannah Getter says Memorial Day is a reminder of how fortunate she and her family have been to come back home to each other.

“I was lucky to have my father come home, but I know many other people did not have their parents come back. It’s an honor for me to honor my parents and my grandparents and my great grandparents who did serve," said Getter.

A 21 gun salute was also included in the ceremony along with a traditional wreath ceremony for soldiers who lost their lives at sea.

You can honor our nation’s fallen soldiers this Memorial Day and any day by following the tradition of placing wreaths and flowers on their graves.