Imperial County residents participate in Fallen Heroes Honor Walk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - Imperial County residents braved the heat to pay respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for America.

Veterans and community members honored fallen service members during the annual Memorial Day Walk.

The group began in Westmorland, walking to Brawley along several miles across Imperial Valley roads.

Organizers say the walk is about more than distance. It's about making sure the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten.

"What I did was I grabbed my flag and just started walking. And while I was walking people would ask me, 'Hey why are you doing this?' 'Well, to honor the fallen,'" said Ernesto Marcsial, the walk's organizer.

The idea for the walk started 13 years ago with one man and grew into a community event.

The walk ended at the Riverview Ceremony with a Memorial Day service.