Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Honoring LA's War Dead This Memorial Day Weekend
Donna Brown came to Los Angeles National Cemetery on May 29, 2023 to pay respects to her brother Walter, who was killed by a roadside bomb while in Iraq.
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
For most people, Memorial Day weekend is a way to kick off summer festivities like getting together for barbecues or going on weekend getaways.
For combat veterans, Memorial Day weekends means all that, and more.
It’s been over two decades since the start of the Global War on Terror that has killed more than 7,000 U.S. troops.
John Motter served in the Marines as corps infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says on Memorial Day, he can't help thinking about the fact that since 9/11 more activity duty and vets have died by suicide than in combat.
“Memorial Day is like a pretty hollow feeling holiday to me," Motter said. "It's something when it comes up, I just see like, mattress sales and days at the beach or whatever, and no one even thinks of the context of why they're getting the day off.”
Motter lost his friend, Lance Corporal Vasquez, during a foot patrol in Afghanistan. He was his point man and mine sweeper.
Sponsored message
Now, Motter asks that people offer a few minutes to remember those killed, and to think of ways to prevent future wars.
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
Los Angeles National Cemetery
Remembrance was front and center at the Los Angeles National Cemetery during an event to commemorate and honor the fallen. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass was one of the event's featured speakers.
"I stand here also as the proud daughter of a veteran ... my father was a part of the greatest generation. He served during World War II in the Coast Guard," she said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a Memorial Day service on May 29, 2023.
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
In her remarks, Bass also mentioned the crisis facing many veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
Sponsored message
"Today is a day for us to remember all who have served ... those who died on the front lines of war, and those who died unhoused on our streets, after returning home from serving this country," she said. "It is incumbent upon all of us to make sure that no veteran — no veteran — sleeps on the streets of our country."
In the midst of visitors, luminaries and against a backdrop of a band's horns and trumpets was Donna Brown, who attended the event to remember her younger brother Walter, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007. He was 21.
"I don't want Walter to be forgotten ... That was a hard call," she told LAist. "And so I'm here every year, to let him know I love him, and for people to know who he is."
About Memorial Day's origins
Memorial Day differs from Veterans Day in November because it specifically honors those who have died in U.S. military service. The tradition of placing flags and flowers on military graves started in the post-Civil War years, at first to commemorate those killed in that war and later expanded to include all war dead.
A row of U.S. flags sit in front of a memorial wall of names etched in white stone at Los Angeles National Cemetery on May 29, 2023.
(
Elly Yu
/
LAist
)
It was recognized nationally for the first time in 1868 — known as Decoration Day — with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.
Sponsored message
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says this about that first national event:
Approximately 11,250 White and Black Union soldiers were buried along with about 350 Confederate soldiers; more than half were buried as unknowns. The ceremony was held around the Arlington mansion, decorated with flags and draped for mourning. Nearby was the "very profuse decoration of the main tomb where the remains of 2,111 unknown soldiers are buried." Once the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, the dwelling and land around it was designated a national cemetery in 1864 by General Meigs.
Memorial Day services
If you’d like to take part in Memorial Day services, you have a few options.
- Fleet Week in San Pedro
- 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
- Monday, May 29 at 5 p.m. Memorial Service at the USS Iowa
- Events are scheduled all weekend, including tours of the USS Iowa and other ships, aircraft flyovers and musical performances. Full schedule
- Peace Week in San Pedro
- 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
- Monday, May 29 at the USS Iowa, Veterans for Peace has scheduled a candelight vigil from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
