CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Fallen Soliders Remembered in 53rd Annual Pacific View Ceremony

America’s fallen soliders were remembered at a ceremony this morning at Pacific View Memorial Park.

“For many people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer,” said Steven Spriggs, commander of American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291. “But for millions of others, it has a much deeper meaning.”

More than 600 people attended the event, which included patriotic songs performed by Celebration U.S.A. Founder Paula Burton told the audience that she was a little girl in the Netherlands when American soldiers arrived to save them during World War II.

“When we saw American planes overhead,” she said, “We said, ‘Here are your good people!’” Burton said she is now a proud American citizen.

“Freedom is a gift we can’t see,” she said. “It’s not tangible, but freedom lives in our hearts.”

The Mountain Fife and Drums group also performed, the third performance by the group since its founder Kevin Garland died earlier this month.

The Newport Beach Fire Department raised a huge flag from the back of its brand-new truck, and family members placed wreathes and decorated veterans’ grave markers with flags, flowers and balloons.

Lt. Col. Benjamin T. Watson of Camp Pendleton spoke to the audience about our freedom.

“These freedoms are not universal, and they come at a cost,” he said.

He then read the names of 14 men who were killed in the past year in Afghantistan.

“I can stand here and look you in the eye and say these men were doing what they loved and doing what they believed in,” he said. “Their heroic service changed the lives of thousands of people who could not fight for themselves.”

“Taps” was played, then the National Anthem. At the end, doves were released and filled the sky as flags were raised from half-staff.

The event was the 53rd annual Memorial Day ceremony at Pacific View.