The solemn observance paid tribute to Pasadena-area military members lost in conflicts from World War I through the ongoing War on Terror, as speakers returned repeatedly to themes of sacrifice, duty, national memory and the continuing obligations of citizenship.
The crowd of several hundred attendees was reminded that the nation is nearing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, calling on the audience to remember those “who fell in defense and service of the country from its founding onward.”
The program included the Pledge of Allegiance led by U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Brendon Ching, a proclamation presented by Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas, and an invocation by Ted Saraf of American Legion Post 13.
Saraf urged attendees never to “take for granted the liberties we enjoy, which were purchased at a high cost,” asking that the fallen be remembered through “peace and justice in our own lives and across the globe.”
Lt. Col. Steven J. Uziel of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines delivered the ceremony’s principal remarks, tracing the nation’s military history from the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts in the Persian Gulf.
“The men and women who gave their lives in service to our country … were inspired to answer the call of duty to the exceptional cause of freedom,” Uziel told the audience.
Quoting the Declaration of Independence, Uziel said America was founded on “the extraordinary idea that a people did not own their lives, their freedom to a king or a queen,” but instead were “a free people that could govern themselves.”
Later, speaking about prisoners of war and those missing in action, Uziel described the ceremonial POW/MIA table displayed near the stage.
“The chair is empty. They are not here,” he said quietly. “The glass is inverted. They cannot toast with us today.”
Throughout the morning, Naval Sea Cadets slowly and deliberately read the names of Pasadena-area service members killed in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and post-9/11 military operations. The reading stretched for nearly an hour, as guests and family members watched and listened from the lawn at the front of the bandshell.
Before the Vietnam-era names were read, Uziel reminded the audience that “as long as you speak a person’s name, they shall live forever.”
Among the names read aloud was Specialist Five Charles Pierre Girard, who died in Vietnam on March 9, 1969, in Quang Tri Province during hostile fire while serving in an aircraft support mission.
“Today, as we honor all of those from Pasadena who gave their lives in service to our nation, we highlight Specialist Five Charles P. Pierre Gerard, one of our own, whose courage, commitment, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten,” a presenter told the crowd.
The speaker noted that Girard had been awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Later in the ceremony, a folded American flag was presented to Girard’s two surviving sisters during a solemn military funeral honors tribute.
Before the presentation, Uziel explained the symbolism behind the traditional 13-fold ceremony, describing the American flag as “the very soul of our republic” and “the physical embodiment of the ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence.”
He described the silence surrounding the folding ceremony as intentional and sacred.
“It represents the quiet reverence we hold for the fallen and it serves as a stark reminder of the voices that have been silenced in the defense of our freedom,” Uziel said.
As honor guards folded the flag into its final triangular shape, Uziel explained that the form intentionally recalls the tricorn hats worn by soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
“We visually affirm that the torch of freedom ignited 250 years ago was carried faithfully by the individual we are honoring today,” he said.
Just after 11 a.m, the Condor Squadron conducted a flyover above Memorial Park, including the traditional “missing man” formation honoring fallen aviators and service members. The aircraft passed overhead against the cloudless sky as attendees stood silently, many shielding their eyes from the sun to watch the vintage World War II-era planes disappear westward.
In his closing remarks, Uziel urged attendees to carry the meaning of the ceremony beyond Memorial Day itself.
“The torch of freedom … has been thrown to us,” Uziel said. “As the living, we must catch it. As the living, we must hold it high.”
“We honor our fallen comrades the best way we live,” he continued. “We honor them by supporting the Gold Star families who carry the heaviest burden of our freedom.”
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
