View: Memorial Day Tributes Honor War Dead

Hundreds gathered Monday to pay tribute to service men and women who lost their lives while fighting wars on behalf of the American people.

There were services an hour apart in Lake Forest at its two cemeteries, Ascension Cemetery and El Toro Memorial Park.

At El Toro (see the gallery of photos), the Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley performed, Darrell Rivers of the Huntington Beach Historical Society—dressed in Union garb—provided a history lesson, veteran Jim Clements performed Amazing Grace on his bagpipes and Ray Clouse and Ken Van Wuyckhuyse performed Echo Taps that concluded the ceremony, which included the laying of wreaths by local community leaders. 

The highlight, though, came from Richard Kelley, Commander of VFW Post 6024, who provided a moving remembrance of lost soldiers, including the story of one under his command. 

"He bled to death in my arms in about four minutes," Kelley said. "That's what today is about. Our freedom belongs to him. Freedom is not free. There's a saying that some give all and all give some. That's true. Chris Young, age 20, gave all for you. One of the last things he ever said was, 'Don't let me be forgotten.' "

On Monday, he wasn't.

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