The morning was full of pageantry as people gathered to honor the nation's fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines at San Diego's best-known military cemetery. It was cool and misty as the commander of the Navy's 3rd Fleet, Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, delivered a remembrance in the heart of the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
"We're blessed to have brave men and women willing to go into harm's way to keep our country safe and free. Like we are doing here today, we need to ensure that they know that their service is appreciated and will never be forgotten," Tyson said.
The fallen heroes were honored with a military cannon salute, tapping into the history of Fort Rosecrans when it served as a military artillery base. The United States Marine Corps band serenaded the fallen with a performance of taps.
Among those being honored was Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby, whose remains were finally returned to his hometown of San Diego from Vietnam on Friday. The Navy flier, missing for 50 years, was buried at Fort Rosecrans on Sunday.
Art Harris, who lost friends in Vietnam, said it is still tough and that makes remembering even more important.
"Well as you know it's the very sacrifice. A person can walk away to volunteering, to put his life on the line and it's hard on the family because number one, maybe they don't understand. But what we're trying to do is unite the country to understand what liberty is all about and come together as one. And quit war. We don't need war. We need peace. Love," said Harris, commander of the VFW 4630 Post in National City.
Each headstone at the cemetery was adorned with an American flag and a rose.
