On May 25th, the Daughters of the American Revolution held the 35th annual Memorial Day event at El Toro Memorial Park in Orange County, Southern California. The event was dedicated to honoring and remembering the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in battles and their enduring legacy.
The commemorative activities began with the entrance of the American flag, followed by pledges, prayers, and singing of the national anthem. Various organizations including the Sons of the American Revolution, Continental Marines, as well as mayors or council members from the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo in Orange County participated in the event.
Boy Scout Troops 639, 772, 774, and 1210, Cub Scout Packs 623, 639, 765, along with volunteers from Our Lady of Fatima Academy in San Clemente, placed American flags in front of the graves of each soldier in the memorial park cemetery.
Greg Monk, a retired Marine Corps veteran since 1993, who had not participated in Memorial Day events before due to the emotional toll it took, delivered a speech for the second time on Memorial Day this year. Monk, who served in the Gulf War and participated in relief efforts during a cyclone in Bangladesh, also authored a book titled “The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking” in 2023 which garnered positive reviews.
Reflecting on the significance of Memorial Day, Monk emphasized that it’s more than just a day off, cookouts, or relaxation. He stated, “It is a time for pause and reflection, a time to remember and honor those brave heroes who sacrificed their own futures for our tomorrows.”
Jason Dunham, a 22-year-old US Marine Corps Lance Corporal, made a split-second decision to shield his fellow soldiers from a grenade explosion during an ambush in 2004, sacrificing his own life. Similarly, in 2003, Master Sergeant Paul Ray Smith valiantly protected his troops and a medical aid station during a fierce enemy attack in Iraq, ultimately sacrificing himself to save others.
Monk paid tribute to the heroes in each branch of the military. He emphasized the profound love embodied by fallen soldiers and reiterated the responsibility to live a life worthy of their sacrifice – one filled with gratitude and courage.
Kelly Rivers, Chair of the Huntington Beach Historical Society and a board member of Orange County Cemeteries, highlighted the evolution of Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War. In 1967, it was officially renamed Memorial Day to honor all fallen soldiers in wars.
During the gathering, Donald Wagner, Board Supervisor for Orange County’s 3rd District, recalled the history of heroic sacrifices throughout the nation’s past conflicts, urging everyone to uphold the tradition of commemorating these heroes and passing on their stories to younger generations.
He mentioned pivotal battles and events where soldiers bravely fought, such as in the Middle East, the Vietnam War, World War II on Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Midway, D-Day, and the Battle of Gettysburg, among others. Wagner shared that his grandfather sacrificed his life during World War II, emphasizing the importance of remembering these sacrifices.
As the ceremony concluded, Wagner reiterated the duty to guide children in understanding the noble cause for which these heroes fought. He emphasized the need to respect the past while looking towards the future, acknowledging that our everyday freedoms could easily vanish without the courage and dedication of these selfless heroes.