CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Hundreds Gather in CdM For Memorial Day Ceremony

The Newport Harbor American Legion Post 291 and Pacific View Memorial Park co-hosted their 54th annual Memorial Day ceremony today, with music, doves, flowers and tributes to soldiers who gave their lives to protect the country’s freedoms.

About 750 people gathered in the cemetery at 3500 Pacific View Drive for the 11 a.m. ceremony, which began with the Mountain Fifes and Drums group from Twin Peaks. The group played and carried flags past graves marked with American flags and flowers, and Michael Villani, the master of ceremonies, reminded the audience to take time to remember the sacrifice that soldiers made.

Celebration U.S.A., a children’s vocal group, sang a medley of military songs, “Taps” was played and at the end, white doves were released.

“It’s a beautiful ceremony,” said Don Udall of Corona del Mar. “It’s a great nation.”