This morning I attended a special Memorial Day weekend ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Midway. Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our precious freedom were remembered and honored.
A community band played. The National Anthem was sung. Two vintage warplanes passed overhead. The colors were retired.
Veterans and those who fell in battle were thanked with moving speeches. Rear Admiral Bette Bolivar, commander of Navy Region Southwest, spoke powerfully about protecting liberty. I jotted down a few of her words. “Our banner of Freedom soaring high . . . others before self . . . honoring their lives and their great sacrifices . . .”
Veterans in attendance were asked to speak into a microphone and tell everyone where they served. Repeated applause.
Four wreaths honoring those who’ve gone before were tossed from the flight deck into San Diego Bay, and a fifth was tossed from the Maritime Museum’s restored Swift Boat.
Harbor Patrol boats signaled their honor with columns of water.
Many salutes.
Fluttering flags in sunlight.
Proud faces.
Faces of those who have served their nation.
Faces of those who remember.
Faces of those who will never, ever forget.
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