Jacksonville, FL — The City of Jacksonville honors fallen heroes during its annual Memorial Day Observance today. The event was held outside in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall in downtown.
Listen: City of Jacksonville honors fallen service members in annual Memorial Day observance
Governor Rick Scott and other local dignitaries including U.S. Representatives John Rutherford and Al Lawson spoke at the event, which recognized six local servicemen.
-Gabriel A. Fuentes, USAF
-Elgin E. Ross, USAF
-Stephen C. Johnson, USN
-Stephanie M. Hetland, USA
-Joseph J. Murray, USMC
-William R. Posch, USAF
During the ceremony family and friends of the six fallen service members presented wreathes and shared their cherished memories of their loved ones.
“You know, we never saw Murray at an event [when] he didn't have babies in his arms. That was Joseph, his arms were full of love.” Says Terry Murray who remembered Joseph J. Murray USMC.
Nearly 1,700 names appear on Jacksonville’s Veterans Memorial Wall that stands in honor of the service and sacrifice of U.S. Service Members who died while on active duty.
The monument was dedicated in November 1995 and is the second largest memorial wall in the nation, behind the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
A moving close to the #MemorialDay Observance in @CityofJax @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax @ColeANjax pic.twitter.com/EBOkH3w83R
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
You get chills as family members lay wreaths to honor the six lives lost in this past year. The Jax Pipes and Drums plays Amazing Grace. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax @CityofJax pic.twitter.com/E2A41RCD7m
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
.@RepAlLawsonJr: Pledging to do everything possible to those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. #jaxmemorialday @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax @ColeANjax pic.twitter.com/0wdSBg7xCV
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
.@RepRutherfordFL speaking about those who served honorably in defense of our freedom. #jaxmemorialday @WOKVNews @RepAlLawsonJr pic.twitter.com/mYgleIwcXW
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
The 125th Fighter Wing Florida Air National Guard conducted a perfectly timed flyover. #memorialday @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax @ColeANjax pic.twitter.com/mVBC56WWRh
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
What a beautiful morning for the Memorial Day observance getting started shortly. Listen live on @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax @MikeFirstAlert pic.twitter.com/qz1caA3Jys
— Rich Jones (@RichJonesJax) May 28, 2018
6 new local names of fallen services members added to the memorial wall downtown today. #MemorialDay18 service begins at 8 rain or shine. pic.twitter.com/dDwxmDXWcv
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) May 28, 2018
Honor our fallen heroes during the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony tomorrow at the Veterans Memorial Wall (1145 E. Adams St., between TIAA Bank Field and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville). The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Details: https://t.co/JJpP1MVQkk pic.twitter.com/nnXGJIOfyq
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) May 27, 2018