June 21, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Remembering The Fallen

Memorial Day, Monday May 28, was marked locally with a services at Los Angeles National Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery. Scouts placed more than 90,000 flags in front of headstones at the National Cemetery where the service was conducted by Veterans Affairs and attended by residents, veterans, local dignitaries and politicians.

LEFT – Center Emilanda Baran holds her daughters left Susan Campos and right Sabrina Campos as they mourn the loss of Baran’s nephew and cousin of the two girls, Trinidad Rodrigo Martinez Luis, who was killed in Iraqi Freedom. Photo: Morgan Genser.

For Santa Monicans, Memorial Day garnered a range of emotions, memories at reflections. Resident Bob Taylor posted a poignant image of his father’s returned belongings on Facebook, prompting The Mirror to ask locals what Memorial Day meant them.

Photo: Bob Taylor via Facebook. ABOVE – Memorial Day. My Father’s “Effects”. The reality of war.

For Taylor, who as a very young boy was in a home for children with his brother while his father fought in WWII, Memorial Day is a time of reflection. “When Memorial Day comes around these days, we post pictures of our lost loved ones, or as I did this time, the box his ‘things’ came to us in. I thought it appropriate to do that as a reminder that there is a reality to the deaths that are associated with war. In this case, two little boys now without a dad.

“I doubt that my experience is much different than all the others that lost their fathers early in life due to wars. In our case, my brother and I were living in a home for children prior to his death as our mother worked and apparently felt she couldn’t take care of us alone while he was gone. It was the war years. So you grow up without a father, and that has all sorts of emotional elements that stay with you all your life. But it is an all too common story, and sadly not that unique. I had not seen him since I was 3 or 4, and was 6 when he died and well remember his burial at WLA Vet Cemetery.”

One of the flags placed in front of a headstone during the annual Memorial Day program held by the Veterans Administration at the cemetery. Photo: Morgan Genser.

“My grandmother’s cousin died in combat and is on the WWI memorial,” said Cindy Morales who went to Santa Monica’s Woodlawn cemetery and marked the event at home. “[I] Flew my father’s flag Monday and prayed for a niece currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Janet Carter saw the day as a, “Reflection of my Dad, a WW2 and Korean War veteran, and of my brother, a VN vet. I also thought of the veterans interned in our national cemeteries.”

Resident Phil Brock attended Woodlawn, “I was reminded of our community’s sacrifices since the Spanish American War in the tombstones and monuments on our own hallowed ground.”

John Giubera holds his father’s flag who was a Korean Veteran. Photo: Morgan Genser.
Nicole Cagile fixes a fallen flower at the headstone of the gravesite of her brother Daniel Patrick Cagile. Daniel fell in the line of battle in 2007 during Iraqi Freedom. Photo: Morgan Genser.

For local peace activist Jerry Rubin, his efforts are year-round, “We can remember and honor our veterans best by working hard to promote peace and end all wars.”

“This Memorial Day I am reminded that all of us who never have served must also fight for our freedoms,” commented John Cyrus Smith on Facebook, his sentiments echoed online by Zoe Muntaner, offering “profound gratitude for the people that put their life on the line.”

Heather Levenson Goren has started a fundraiser for Veterans suffering PTSD – check it out at www.gofundme.com/veteran-and-1st-responder-ptsd-org.

 

in News
<>Related Posts

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

New Leadership at Samohi: Jane Han Named House Principal

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Equity-Focused Educator Joins Samohi Leadership Team By Diana Bouchaaya, SMMUSD Communications Specialist The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

SMC Gallery to Showcase Faculty Art in Virtual Exhibition

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

The online event will feature works by seven Emeritus faculty artists. The Santa Monica College Emeritus Art Gallery will host...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Film Review: The Life of Chuck

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE LIFE OF CHUCKRated R110 MinutesReleased June 6th A  heartfelt movie of lie, love, friendship and loss, delivered in...

THIS WEEKEND: Five Outdoor Concerts for Make Music Day Comes to Santa Monica

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The global event, inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique, unites communities through music and is observed in over 800...

(Video) The Guest List Collab Dinner with Chef Raphael Lunetta and Chef Alan Wong

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Held at Marelle Restaurant at The Sandbourne Hotel in Santa Monica. An Incredible mix of Hawaiian and Santa Monica’s flavors...

Jeni’s Drops Goose-Inspired Ice Cream Flavor to Kick Off Summer of Sweetness

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Goose Tracks Is a Nod to the Jam-Band’s Live Magic + Super Fun Times Flavors Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is...

Santa Monica’s ‘Summer Soulstice’ Festival Returns with Music, Classic Cars, and Family Fun

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

The event, featuring music, a PRIDE-themed bingo, a car show and a beer garden, spans Main Street from Strand Street...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com For More Information, Go to https://t.co/oL7U8M4k7B pic.twitter.com/fCAYMCsLXU — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) June 19,...

(Video) See Inside Voodoo Doughnuts’ New Venice Beach Shop

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

The Creative Portland Franchise Has Opened Up at Windward Circle The Creative Portland Franchise Has Opened Up at Windward Circle....

Justice Served by the Slice: L.A. Chefs Rally for Pies for Justice Fundraiser

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

Sweet, Savory, and Pizza Pies to Support Foster Youth and Civil Rights Chefs and restaurants from across Los Angeles and...

What to Expect at This Weekend’s ‘Venice Summer Fest’ in Mar Vista

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

Attendees Can Expect More Than Two Dozen Bands, a Classic Car Show, Food Trucks, Vendors and More The Venice Summer...