Monterey Park Mayor Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Hans Liang and Peter Chan and City Clerk Vince Chang welcomed Supervisor Hilda Solis and Attorney General Kamala Harris to the city’s event on May 31 in front of City Hall.

The City of Monterey Park and American Legion Post 397 sponsored this annual event.

A beautiful wreath from the city adorned the site of our War Memorials.

Post Commander Gabriel Suarez welcomed everyone to this Memorial Day Service.

Members of the Post presented the Colors and everyone said our Pledge of Allegiance.

Dorothy Stringer sang our National Anthem and the crowd clapped at the end our song.

Enrique Robles from Congressmember Judy Chu’s office, Post Chaplain Tom McCrady, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Attorney General Kamala Harris, Mayor Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Hans Liang and Peter Chan and City Clerk Vince Chang were the guest speakers.

Post Chaplain Tom McCrady led the invocation. He asked God to provide to those veterans who have died an afterlife forever and ever. He asked God to comfort those whose loved ones have died. He also asked God to provide an eternal rest to all of them.

Members of the Auxiliary presented a wreath in front of the War Memorial.

Mayor Ing welcomed the guests to this Memorial Day event. He introduced Attorney General Kamala Harris and Supervisor Hilda Solis to the audience.

A G Harris thanked the Legion and city for this event. She always puts the military and police first. They sacrifice their lives for people they will never meet. She is honored to be here. She thanked all of the people who have sacrificed for us. California has more men and women in the service. We can do better for the veterans with medical, education and job skills. She is hopeful for the future. Americans always fight for our ideas.

Supervisor Solis said this is a delight to be here. She has represented us many times in various elected offices over the years. Monterey Park gives up your sons and daughters to defend us. She saluted all the veterans for their service and sacrifices. We pay tribute to all of them and their families.  This is a solemn day of remembrance to remember our military members who fought for us.

Supervisor Hilda Solis and A G Kamala Harris presented a proclamation to Commander Gabriel Suarez in honor of the event.

Supervisor Hilda Solis and A G Kamala Harris presented a proclamation to Mayor Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Hans Liang and Peter Chan and City Clerk Vince Chang in honor of the event.

Councilmember Hans Liang said today we remember those who gave their lives for our country. We remember the family members of those who gave their lives. He thanked the staff and post for their support. He also thanked the firefighters, police officers and veterans for their service.

Councilmember Peter Chan stated 1.3 million military members have given their lives for peace and freedom for us.  They are brave to keep us a free country. He thanked the veterans, police officers and firefighters who keep us safe. It is a good day to remember them. He thanked them. Enjoy the day!

City Clerk Vince Chang read a poem “A Soldier Died Today”. The popular poem by A. Lawrence Vaincourt, this is a tribute to the millions of men and women around the world who have given of themselves to defend peace and freedom. He also reminded the residents to please vote in honor of the military. Thank you!

Mayor Mitch Ing thanked Post 397 for their assistance in this event. He also thanked the firefighters and police officers for their support.  He spoke abut taking his son, Derek, then 13 years old to Washington, DC some eight years ago. They took a tour of the DC area. He later asked his son what area impressed him the most. Derek said Arlington Cemetery was very patriotic for him. These military members gave the ultimate sacrifice. He spoke about his grandfather and his wife’s grandfathers all served in World War II. He read “In Flanders Field” a war poem in the form of a rondeau, written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He spoke about the “Poppy” that children in Canada sell to help raise funds for the veterans. He thanked the Legion and residents for attending our Memorial Day celebration.

Enrique Robles from Congressmember Judy Chu’s staff said he is honored to be here today to celebrate all of the veterans. The veterans, who died for us to be free. He thanked them and their families for their service. He presented a proclamation to the Legion and the city in honor of this event.

Commander Suarez repeated the question asked to General John Kelly upon his retirement from military life “Was it worth it?” General Kelly answered: “This tends to be said a lot. But unless you’ve been in the fight, you wouldn’t understand it I think. But we fight for each other. We Marines, we soldiers that have fought there, know it was worth it because we were doing it with our buddies. But I think what I tell families now is the only person really that has a right to answer that question – was it worth it? – is the young man or woman that lost their life. And I believe what they would say is they were doing what they wanted to do. They were where they wanted to be. So that’s the answer, I think, to that question. It’s not for us, you know, that survived it to answer it. I think it’s for those young people to answer. And I think they do answer it with their – with their actions and obviously with their lives.”

Commander Suarez said we must never forget the families of the fallen heroes. Today we are here to remember freedom is not free. He spoke about President Lincoln sending a letter to Mrs. Bixby, a mother who lost her five sons during the Civil War. It is up to all of us to make it worth it. He asked God to bless America and us.

EO2 Dominic M. Lopez has served in the Navy for the last 15 years. He spoke about his family’s proud military service. He father died just after his fourth birthday so he was angry with his father until he began his own military service. He spoke about how he lost close friends in the service from injuries. Today we remember the fallen and carry their spirit with us. It is about freedom. We need to celebrate life and our freedoms. It is a great country. We need to be appreciated for what the military do. He helps homeless veterans. Veterans should help other veterans. We don’t leave any man behind. Veterans should share their stories so they are not alone. The military fight to keep us safe. He thanked the veterans. We need to remember the fallen. The greatest history is written by America. Remember all those who fought the good fight and have fallen. They are not forgotten. We are all one family.

Wenbo Huang sang “You Raise Me Up” as part of the celebration. Her song shared the sentiment of Memorial Day.

Commander Suarez thank all for attending this event. He invited the residents to join them at the post for lunch. He thanked all of the veterans.

Chaplain McCrady closed the event with a prayer. He asked God to protect our men and women in the service because we are at war. Let those whose lives have been lost not be in vain.

Veterans gather for a family picture to remember their fellow veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

A flyover was sighted in the sky over City Hall at the end of the celebration.

Members of Post 397 hosted a delicious lunch that provided good food, good conversations and good friendships.

City Clerk Vince Chang and Commander Gabriel Suarez discussed the benefits of various specialized bikes. This bike is used as a small mini truck.