Salute For the Fallen
Saturday, May 30, 2009

Photos by Mario G. Reyes/Rafu Shimpo
A somber ritual is held every Memorial Day to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces who have served the nation. Veterans take a moment to remember their comrades-in-arms on last Monday at the 60th Memorial Day service held at Evergreen Cemetery.

Gold Star Mother Mary Jane Mayemura salutes
during the posting of the colors by the El Rancho
High School, USMC Jr. ROTC at the service held
Saturday at the Japanese American National War
Memorial Court.

Wendy Kwan and Jack Kwan, 7, offer a floral tribute to
her uncle Hiroshi Hagino, who was killed during the Korean War.

The 50th anniversary of the joint Memorial Day service held by the West Los Angeles Japanese American religious organizations and communities was held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica. The rotation of hosting the Memorial Day service is between West L.A. Japanese American Community Center, Venice Japanese Community Center and the Santa Monica Nikkeijin Kai. The original Japanese American Memorial Monument was dedicated on Nov. 22, 1959. Each year a service is held to remember, recognize and honor the Issei pioneers, war heroes, other predecessors of Japanese ancestry as well as those who have recently passed.