Yuma community comes together to remember our fallen heroes this Memorial Day
News 11's Adonis Albright and 13 On Your Side's April Hettinger brings us coverage of the ceremonies happening across town to pay tribute to the nation's fallen heroes
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Local veterans organizations across Yuma County held ceremonies this Memorial Day to honor and remember the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
The VFW Post 1763, the American Legion, AMVETS, and many other veterans groups participated in the ceremonies which started at the Ocean to Ocean Bridge at 8 a.m. Monday morning, where wreaths were presented in honor of fallen service members.
The following Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony was held at the Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, where the national anthem was sung by Ariana Camarillo.
“For me, it means to just honor everyone that has served for us", said Camarillo, when asked about the importance of Memorial Day. She's been singing the national anthem for years, but last year is when the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to most in-person gatherings. This year, she's glad to be doing what she loves again.
The Territorial Young Marines were also in attendance. The organization strives to keep kids away from drugs. But this Memorial Day, they're also learning a valuable lesson about the importance of why the nation recognizes the last Monday of May every year.
“We have to respect the people that have died in war for our freedom, and to respect others that are still here today", said Jesús Reyes, of the Yuma Young Marines.
José Escarsega is the unit commander for the Territorial Young Marines in Yuma. He served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant. As a veteran, Escarsega knows first hand the sacrifices his comrades made; something he is now passing along to the next generation.
“It’s very important that we teach our kids and everybody the awareness of what these men and women did and died for our country. If it wasn’t for the people that serve in the military, we wouldn’t have the freedom that we have.”
Memorial Day is a somber reminder for many that freedom is not free, but it's an important tradition of honoring the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price and paved the way for liberty.
The VFW Post 1763 is asking for volunteers to help collect the crosses placed on the graves of every veteran on Tuesday, June 1 at the Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park at 3 p.m. To find out more, visit their Facebook page.
The VFW Post 1763 also had a flag raising ceremony and prayer with David Ibarra in attendance. He is an Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran that served in the U.S. Army.
"I served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was able to return back to my family, but a lot of my buddies did not," Ibarra said.
The Commander of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 32-9, Shaun "Zulu" Mather is thankful for the community's support.
"This is the one day where we get together and remember the names and remember the people with who they were, where they were, what they did, and Memorial Day is the day for that," Mather explained.
A moment of silence took place nationally at 3 p.m. local time to remember our fallen heroes.
"Memorial Day for me means that most gave some and some gave all, and that's the reason that we're here for Memorial Day for the people that gave all in our military," Ibarra stated.
Crosses and flags were placed in the cemetery at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
