City honors America's war dead in memorial ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Memorial Day is a time to honor the memory and sacrifice of America's more than one million military casualties since the founding of the nation.

To mark this solemn day of reflection, the City of Del Rio, Val Verde County and Laughlin Air Force Base will host a Memorial Day ceremony May 26 at 11 a.m. at the Del Rio Civic Center.

"We should never forget our war dead. They should always be in our hearts and in our prayers," said Air Force (ret.) Maj. Gen. Gerald Prather, the event's master of ceremonies. "Memorial Day reminds us of their sacrifice and what we owe each and every soul that has laid down their lives in service to our country and in service to each of us."

The ceremony will begin with a few words from Prather followed by a presentation of the colors by members of Laughlin's Honor Guard.

Members from Laughlin will sing the National Anthem and give the invocation.

Bobby Barrera, a local Marine Corps veteran who was critically wounded in Vietnam during an attack, will be the event's key note speaker. Several guest speakers from the city and county will also be at the event.

"This is one of the most important days of remembrance for our military that we have," said Barrera. "It's on this day that we make sure the sacrifices of the men and women who have died are remembered."

The event will conclude with the firing of 21 volleys by the Del Rio American Legion post 595 in memory of the nation's fallen servicemen followed by the playing of Taps by members of the San Felipe Del Rio Rams Band.

The event is free and open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.

"The sacrifices made by our fallen enable us, our community and our country to have and enjoy the freedoms we take for granted," said Barrera. "These are freedoms other countries do not have. That's why we honor their sacrifice."