Communities around Orange County paid tribute on Monday to those who died serving our country.
In Yorba Linda, Taps was played while the names of those from Orange County who have died during active service were read. Its veterans monument includes a Gold Star Walkway with bricks inscribed with their names.
Mike Shanahan salutes and serves as the chairman of the Yorba Linda Veteran’s Memorial Association.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Veteran, John Mesko bows his head during the national anthem at the Yorba Linda Veteran’s Memorial.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Los Angeles Police Department’s Emerald Society of Pipes and Drums members, Robert Wright, left, and Cliff Armas, right, performed during the Memorial Day ceremonies.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Sharon Underwood places her hand over her heart as the national anthem is played at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Yorba Linda Veteran’s Memorial.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Gary Brattain(left) and Yorba Linda Mayor, Carlos Rodriguez(right), take a quick tour of the Yorba Linda Veteran’s Memorial before the Memorial Day ceremonies.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Roses were placed on the names of fallen service members from Orange County during the Memorial Day ceremony.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
The Yorba Linda Veteran’s Memorial has an Orange County Walk of Honor for fallen military from the county.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
Ashtyn Avila(left), 9, looks as part of the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial before Memorial Day ceremonies. Avila was part of the Yorba Linda Girl Scouts Honor Guard which placed roses on the Walk of Honor for fallen Orange County service members.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).Ashtyn Avila(left), 9, looks as part of the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial before Memorial Day ceremonies. Avila was part of the Yorba Linda Girl Scouts Honor Guard which placed roses on the Walk of Honor for fallen Orange County service members. Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
The Yorba Linda Girl Scout Honor Guard handed out roses to family members in person, commemorating fallen family members. Gary Brattain, left, receives a rose from Sophia Herrera, right, during the ceremony.
Photographed on Monday May 30, 2022. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer).
In Lake Forest, the first in-person Memorial Day ceremony was held in three years at the El Toro Memorial Park.
During the morning ceremony, an honor guard fired a salute as visitors took a moment to remember those who have fallen.
In San Clemente, just outside the sprawling 126,000-acre Camp Pendleton, the community included a special honor during its Memorial Day event for the 13 service members – three from Southern California and several Marines from the base – who were killed in August during the bombing of Kabul’s airport while Americans and Afghan allies were being evacuated.
Bagpiper Richard Cook performs “Amazing Grace” during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William Gold of Mission Viejo and his kids, Shane Gold, 10, and Summer Gold, 4, clean the gravestones of veterans buried at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on Monday, May 30, 2022, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William Gold of Mission Viejo and his kids, Shane Gold, 10, and Summer Gold, 4, clean the gravestones of veterans buried at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on Monday, May 30, 2022, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Frank Cook, 1st Vice Commander of American Legion Post 862, shows a collection of WWI artifacts to those gathered around his booth following the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Representatives from various cities and participating service organizations lay wreaths during a ceremony at the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
United States Representative, from the 45th District, Katie Porter, center, and others, bow their heads during a benediction at the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Maryann Herrera, of the Mission Viejo Chapter of NSDAR, acts as Mistress of Ceremonies during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley performs “Shenandoah” during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William B. Ring, a Pilot in the First Marine Aircraft Wing in the Vietnam War, makes an address honoring Vietnam Veterans during the Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William Gold of Mission Viejo and his kids, Shane Gold, 10, and Summer Gold, 4, clean mud off the gravestones of a veteran buried at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on Monday, May 30, 2022, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Michael McPhie, of Boy Scout Troop 2020, performs “Taps” on the trumpet during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley performs the “National Anthem” during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans of various military branches and various foreign wars stand to be recognized during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
County of Orange Supervisor Don Wagner, 3rd District, leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Frank Cook, 1st Vice Commander of American Legion Post 862, shows a collection of WWI artifacts to those gathered around his booth following the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William B. Ring, a Pilot in the First Marine Aircraft Wing in the Vietnam War, makes an address honoring Vietnam Veterans during the Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The VFW Edward J. Kearns Post 6024 Rifle Team presents an Honor Guard Firing Salute during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A combined Color Guard participates in a Flag Ceremony during the annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
William Gold of Mission Viejo and his kids, Shane Gold, 10, and Summer Gold, 4, clean mud off the gravestones of a veteran buried at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on Monday, May 30, 2022, during the annual Memorial Day Observance at the cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A new bronze plaque with their faces was unveiled in Park Semper Fi.
Wayne Eggleston, a former mayor, spearheaded the creation of Semper Fi Park with The Heritage of San Clemente Foundation; he wanted to make sure, he said, the Marines and sailors that pass through town had a place of remembrance and there was a spot to show the community’s pride for those who serve. The park includes a life-size statue of a Marine in his dress blues overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Some veterans salute, while others cover their hearts, during a playing of “The National Anthem” at a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
U.S. Navy Chaplin Jason Porter gives an invocation at the start of a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Kimberlie George of San Clemente kneels to take a photo of the flag she sponsored in a sea of over 500 American flags on a lawn in the San Clemente Pier Bowl during a Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente Mayor Gene James welcomes guests to a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Marine veterans, including Burton Brown, right, of San Clemente, stand and salute during a playing of “Taps” at a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente Mayor Gene James welcomes guests to a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Congressman Mike Levin, 49th Congressional District, speaks during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Lt. Col. Glenn P Baker, Commanding Offer 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton, and the commanding officer of several American soldiers killed by a suicide bomber during the Kabul Airport Evacuation in Afghanistan on August, 26, 2021, gets emotional as he reads the names of those soldiers lost, during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Over 500 American flags, organized by the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club, adorn a lawn in the San Clemente Pier Bowl in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Wayne Eggleston, the Executive Director of the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi, speaks during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the San Clemente park, which overlooks the San Clemente Pier, on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The Pete Jacobs Band performs “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022 during a Memorial Day Remembrance. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The 2nd Battalion 4th Marine Color Guard presents the flag during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the San Clemente park on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Brigadier General Jason Woodworth, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, speaks during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Over 500 American flags, organized by the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club, adorn a lawn in the San Clemente Pier Bowl in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Richard Ford, of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club, kneels to add another flag to a sea of over 500 American flags on a lawn in the San Clemente Pier Bowl during a Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A group of Marines unveil a new plaque dedicated to those who perished during the Kabul Airport Evacuation in Afghanistan on August, 26, 2021, including Lt. Col. Glenn P Baker, the commanding officer of several American soldiers killed by a suicide bombing on that date, at Park Semper Fi Marine Monument in San Clemente on Monday, May 30, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
“We’re bombarded by all sorts of news that we tend to forget tragedies like this that happened,” he said, adding that shortly after the bombing nearly 2,000 residents marched down Avenida Del Mar in tribute to the fallen 13. “I never want this tragedy to be forgotten.”
