GONZALES — Residents of Gonzales, the American Legion Post 81, Gonzales Explorers, Soledad High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and more gathered to pay tribute to the fallen during Monday’s Memorial Day service at the Gonzales Cemetery.
Leading the ceremony on Monday was George Tice, the post commander of the American Legion Post 81. The guest speaker for the day was Mark DaVee, the new pastor of the Cypress Church.
“We are gathered here today to honor those who’ve given their lives serving in the military to protect and defend the freedoms that we enjoy today,” DaVee said. “And, to dedicate this war Memorial Wall in honor of their service and sacrifice.
“We also want to pay tribute to the families who have shared in that sacrifice.”
DaVee said historically when a person’s name is etched in stone it is for the purpose of honoring them and remembering them, and every person’s name who is on the Veterans Memorial Wall is someone’s father, mother, sister or brother, son or daughter or good friend.
“I encourage you to tell their story, tell someone about the friend or relative that you lost,” DaVee said. “Tell someone else to preserve their memory and to honor them because each one of us has a story to tell.”
The U.S. flags throughout the cemetery as part of the Avenue of Flags were donated by the families of departed veterans. Placing a wreath on the memorial was Lisa Gonzales, poppy chairwoman of the American Legion Auxiliary, in the departed veterans honor.
Reading the names of the deceased was Shelly Piffero and Liz Silva.
Presenting the colors was the Soledad High School NJROTC and the Gonzales Explorers commanded by George Worthy.
