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SHAWNTAYE HOPKINSHundreds gather at Fero Memorial Gardens to honor the fallen. They are urged to keep the day sacred for the veterans to come.
BEVERLY HILLS - It was nearly 90 degrees. But that didn't stop a few hundred people from gathering Monday at Fero Memorial Gardens to honor American war veterans who died while serving our country.
During the Memorial Day service, many Citrus County residents and veterans sought the shade and cool breeze that caused the ring of flags flying at half-staff to clang among the silent crowd.
Some rested in lawn chairs; others stood.
"They fought for us. For us they fell," said Elmo Walter, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10087. "Now we do honor them."
This was the 26th such service at Fero Memorial. It honored American veterans of all wars. But those who went unaccounted for were not forgotten: about 78,000 at the end of World War II and more than 8,100 at the close of the Korean War. "The nation must never forget our missing men," Walter said.
Memorial Day was created in 1868 to honor those killed in the Civil War.
A helmet benediction by the Nature Coast Young Marines honored American veterans of wars during the past 100 years. The number of dead from each war was read, including those who have died in the global war on terrorism, as of Monday morning.
"There is a new group of veterans being created as we speak," said William C. Ward III, Fero Memorial Gardens general manager, during a short welcome.
He urged that Memorial Day be kept sacred for them.
Ward later said he was pleased with the turnout, realizing that more people attend when there are troops in combat.
A wreath was presented by the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. A rifle salute and trumpet rendition of taps concluded the ceremony.
Earlier in the ceremony, WWII Navy veteran Ray Raphael, 82, of Pine Ridge took the podium. Although he wasn't on the program, the crowd welcomed his passionate words.
"I have a problem with WWII veterans being called the greatest generation," he said. "The greatest generation has yet to come. The greatest generation will be when there is peace and happiness on this globe. That's when it will be."
Drinking coffee from a plastic foam cup during a brief reception, Elsie Sipp, 79, of Beverly Hills pointed to the members of the Young Marines, who were now removing jackets and helmets.
"Our future," she said.
Kalli Wood, 59, of Beverly Hills has attended the memorial ceremony for several years to remember two relatives who died in World War II. Both are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, which she visits twice a year.
But, she said, there's something special about the local memorial service.
"When I'm here, I feel like I'm honoring them from home," she said.
The U.S. Army JROTC from Lecanto High School also participated Monday.