Community Remembers Lives Lost at Memorial Day Service

Soldiers, veterans and members of the community gathered Monday at the Eternal Flame in Orange Park to honor the bravery and sacrifice of our nation's lost servicemen and servicewomen.

The second annual Memorial Day service brought the community of South San Francisco to pay tribute to those currently serving in the armed forces as well as generations before them.

“A speech will not restore such lives or quench the ache of the parent's children and siblings of the mourned,” said former state senator and superior court judge Quentin Kopp. “At best it may remind us of the enduring principles upon which this nation was founded.”

The ceremony’s special guest was Raino Kandelburg, a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack while stationed on the U.S.S. Nevada.  He stood in salute as the honor guard escorted the national and state flags to their place near the memorial plaques of South San Francisco’s lost soldiers.

“This holiday is not about picnics, nor is it about a short work week,” said Major Nathan Fenell of the Echo Company. “They gave up whole lives; we owe them more than one day.”

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day came out of the American Civil War. More than 620,000 perished in the bloodiest war in American history, and Memorial Day was a time for loved ones to decorate the graves of those who died while in military service.

“Their story deserves telling and retelling,” Fenell said.

In accordance with Memorial Day tradition, South San Francisco Girl Scouts were present at the service distributing miniature U.S flags and Buddy Poppies. Based on the poem "In Flanders Field" by John McCrae, the tradition of the buddy poppy began in 1922 with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Veterans with disabilities and veterans in need traditionally assemble Buddy Poppies, and proceeds then provide financial assistance to veterans.

“I learned that it’s not just this one day,” said 10-year-old Ainsley, a Girl Scout handing out Buddy Poppies. “We have to honor them every day of the year.”

Sgt. Vincent Rios, a native of South San Francisco and veteran of Vietnam who was injured during his service, reminded the crowd to not forget those who are injured in action.

“I ask of you when you leave here, to think of those who were severely injured,” Rios said. “Everything is not okay, they’re going to struggle. If you have money, give money; if you have strength, give strength.”

One of the best ways to honor those who have given their lives in service to their country, Rios said, is to honor those still living.

“They say that we honor our deceased by servicing our survivors,” he said.

The ceremony was framed with a remarkable backdrop: the “U” and “S” on Sign Hill had been painted red, white and blue.

Lt. Colonel Bill Carter of the South San Francisco Veterans of Foreign Wars said that although he is always honored to speak on behalf of the Army, those who have died as a result of defending their nation speak for themselves.

“They’ve written their own history in their own blood,” he said.

Kopp quoted the great president of the Civil War in remembrance of the generations of service and those fighting far away from their homes.

“It is worthy to remember the words of Abraham Lincoln,” he said. “'With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.'”