March 29, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Memorial Day Ceremony Held At The Los Angeles National Cemetery

This Is The First Time A Public Ceremony Had Been Held In Three Years

The Los Angeles National Cemetery held a special Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The event took place at the newly reopened cemetery, which underwent a significant expansion project in 2019.

The ceremony featured performances by the 300th Army Band and 300th Army Band vocalist Danielle Roy and a presentation of colors by mounted Buffalo Soldiers led by Ron Jones and under the direction of Dr. Mark Ryan.

The Master of Ceremonies was Chaplain Dov Cohen, Vietnam War Chaplain Chairman Emeritus LA National Cemetery Support Foundation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by 

WWII USA Dr. George Stanley and Sandra Stanley & John Lockett, Founder – Veterans Independence Day Celebrations & Phil Banos, President – Veterans Holiday Celebration.

The Invocation was given by Father Tom Gibbons, Paulist Productions. Glen Schecter, President of the Los Angeles National Cemetery Support Foundation, gave the Welcome to the crowd. The POW/MIA Ceremony was led by Col. Steven Miska, USA, Ret., Temoc Meza, Glen Schecter & Ronnie Guyer.

Remarks were made by Temoc Meza, U.S. Army Veteran and Director of the Los Angeles National Cemetery, Karen Bass, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Major General Evan C. Dertien, Commander of Edwards Air Force Test Center, and the Benediction was given by Rabbi David L. Wolpe. 

While Memorial Day has been observed at the site of what is now the Los Angeles National Cemetery for over a century, a public event for Memorial Day hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s ceremony marks a significant return to honoring the fallen heroes in a public gathering. The ceremony was touching and heartfelt and was an opportunity to meet the veterans and the leaders of the Veterans Administration as well as hear them speak. 

The Los Angeles National Cemetery, a revered fixture in West Los Angeles since 1889, reopened in 2019 after a closure of four decades. Thanks to a columbarium expansion, the newly created cremation-only annex covers over 13 acres and caters to the burial needs of more than 90,000 veterans and eligible family members. This expansion has breathed new life into the cemetery, providing a sacred resting place for those who have served their country. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is also commemorating its 50th year of service. 

On June 18, 1973, President Nixon signed the National Cemetery Act, which led to the creation of the National Cemetery System, effective September 1, 1973. As part of this system, the VA took over 82 Army Cemeteries, resulting in a total of 102 VA National Cemeteries. Presently, the NCA oversees 155 National Cemeteries and provides grants to 122 state, territorial, and Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

This significant expansion of burial options ensures that 94% of veterans living in the U.S. have access to a VA or VA-funded cemetery within 75 miles of their homes. It reflects the commitment of the VA to provide fitting final resting places for those who have served their nation.

For more information about the VA’s burial benefits and memorial services, individuals can visit the National Cemetery Administration’s website or watch the informative video available on the site.

in News
Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Culver City Police Department to Conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Operation

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Operation Targets Hazardous Traffic Violations on the West End The Culver City Police Department announced plans to conduct a high...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Culver City City Council Recap: Bruce Lee Alley, Historical Discrimination Study, Women’s History Month

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Council Deliberates on Racial Equity, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Fire Department Strategic Plan The Culver City Council convened its latest session...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

Staples Store in Westchester Could Become a Senior Housing Complex

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Redevelopment Plans Unveiled for Property Near LAX The current site of a Staples retail store near Los Angeles International Airport...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...