Honoring The Fallen

Los Angeles National Cemetery hosted a Memorial Day Celebration on Monday, May 29 with hundreds honoring those who have lost their lives in military service.

Robin Dominguez wearing POW/MIA bracelets rests her hands on the American Flag during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. The bracelets have the names of those who are prisoners of war or missing in action and the date they were either captured or went missing. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Flowers and flags sit in front of graves for a Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A woman holding flowers stands in front of graves before the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery begins in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Chaplain Dov Cohen speaks during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. Cohen is also chairman of the board for the Cemetery.

People salute or hold their hand over their heart during the United States National Anthem during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. Only those who have served in the military can salute during the anthem. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles (LA) Mayor Karen Bass holds her hand over her heart during the United States National Anthem at the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Gail Johnson (in white) with her daughter, grandson, and a picture of her son Daniel Cagle standing in front of the Gold Star Mothers and Wives Wreath during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. Cagle was killed in action on May 23, 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Los Angeles (LA) Mayor Karen Bass stands in front of the wreath for LA during the Memorial Day Celebration at LA National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Smith saluting to the different military branches during the “Branches of Service Medley” played by the 300th Army Band during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Major General Evan Dertien speaking during the Memorial Day Celebration at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

The grave of Daniel Patrick Cagle adorned with flowers from his family on Memorial Day at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. Cagle was killed in action on May 23, 2007, during Operation Iraqi Freedom when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Gail Johnson next to her son Daniel Patrick Cagle grave on Memorial Day at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, May 29, 2023. Cagle was killed in action on May 23, 2007, during Operation Iraqi Freedom when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles National Cemetery hosted a Memorial Day Celebration on Monday, May 29 with hundreds honoring those who have lost their lives in military service. American flags and flowers were lined up along the headstones where people came to pay their respects.

The ceremony included music by the 300th Army Band and remarks from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Maj. Gen. Evan Dertian, commander of the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

“People are coming together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Bass. “Today is a day for us to remember all who served.

Gail Johnson, a mother from a family with several generations of military service, presented a Wreath of Hope for Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Wives. She lost her son Daniel Cagle in May of 2007 during the Iraq War, and she comes to the National Cemetery every year.

“It is very heartfelt because it’s to honor the fallen, so unlike Veteran Day, these are those that served and never took their uniform off,” Johnson said. “It is very heartwarming for me to see so many people show up to honor the fallen.”