Although residents were unable to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary in Santa Clarita this year, local organizers ensured that the men and women who have been lost were still remembered amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

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In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, event organizers decided to offer a virtual viewing of the event via live stream.

“This year, I felt that we were going to have to actually have to cancel this program,” said Bill Reynolds, event organizer and KHTS Director of Veteran’s Affairs.”It’s different this year, for sure”

A Vietnam Veteran, Reynolds spoke of the importance that Memorial Day held for the loved ones of all those who had served in the military, past and present.

“It’s been said that every day is Memorial Day for Gold Star families, and I think that every day is Memorial Day for guys who have been in combat, who have lost their friends…. I happen to be one of those,” said Reynolds emotionally. “I carry around Memorial Day every day.”

Reynolds went on to share his memories of two good friends who had died in combat while fighting alongside him in 1967.

“These were brave American soldiers that I will never, ever forget,” said Reynolds.

See Related: From The U.S. Army ‘Boys Of 67’ To Veteran Community Leader

Newly-elected Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, was the keynote speaker for the event.

“As a former Naval officer, I’ve seen things go terribly wrong, and I’ve seen friends make the ultimate sacrifice,” said Garcia. “And as the years go by the memories don’t fade and unfortunately the sacrifices our friends and these Heroes make, seem to never end.”

A veteran himself, Garcia honored one of his best friends, Lt. Col. John “Matt” Kincade, who tragically died in a T-38 fighter jet crash at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma in the fall of 2019.

Kincade was the 16th close military friend Garcia has lost in the last 20 years, which makes memorial Day hold a very special place in his heart.

“Unfortunately in these divided times and in the midst of the coronavirus, there are those who have lost hope. There are those who question the resolve of this nation, they question whether or not there are any real heroes left,” said Garcia. “I say to them: Look no further than the flags in this cemetery, and to the men and women in uniform today, who have solemnly sworn to carry on their oath, and their legacy.”
After a performance of “Taps” by Trinity Classical Academy bugler Aiden Leigh, five other students, all siblings, read over 1,000 of the names of deceased veterans engraved on the memorial wall at Eternal Valley.

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